Torn rotator cuff treatment in Prairie Village, KS

The rotator cuff is the part of your shoulder that includes muscles and tendons that connect the shoulder joint to the socket. These muscles and tendons all work together in coordination to keep the shoulder connected as well as moving it in multiple directions for a variety of activities.

An injury to the rotator cuff can severely limit the use of your arm. Rotator cuff tears are common injuries that can occur from overuse of the shoulder, such as frequently lifting heavy objects over your head or throwing a baseball.

If you’re experiencing a consistent, dull ache in your shoulder and have a limited range of motion, you may have a rotator cuff tear. You should see your doctor for a diagnosis, and you may likely need to visit a physical therapist for treatment.

Physical therapy for torn rotator cuff

The primary goal of physical therapy treatments for a torn rotator cuff is to strengthen and stretch the muscles surrounding the shoulder. This can provide better support for the shoulder to reduce pressure off the muscles and tendons recovering from the tear.

Physical therapists specialize in other treatments for a torn rotator cuff too, including:

• Electrical stimulation — Controlled bursts of electricity from electrodes connected to the shoulder can cause muscles to constrict and release. This helps keep muscles in the shoulder active and strong. These muscles would otherwise be inactive and grow weak due to the injury, which makes recovery longer and more difficult.

• Post-surgical therapy — Some rotator cuffs tears are more serious than others. In these cases, surgery may be necessary. However, physical therapy can still help. Physical therapists can improve your recovery experience after surgery, so you can regain the use of your shoulder in a quicker time.

Visit SSOR in Prairie Village, KS, for torn rotator cuff treatment

If you live near Prairie Village, Kansas, and you’ve been diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff, visit SSOR for treatment. Our physical therapists use these methods and more for treating