What kind of doctor treats rotator cuff

Jane Konidis, M. Physiatrist Rochester, MN Areas of focus: Nerve block, Ultrasound-guided calcific tendinitis aspiration and lavage, Percutaneous tenotomy, Platelet rich plasma i Edward Edward R. Laskowski, M. Marianne T. Luetmer, M. Jennifer R. Maynard, M. Morrey, Mark E. O'Driscoll, Shawn W.

Sanchez-Sotelo, Joaquin M. Sperling, John W. Steinmann, Scott P. Most people describe the pain from a rotator cuff tear to feel like a dull ache that worsens if you sleep on the affected shoulder. The tear can make it difficult to reach behind your back to do daily tasks like brushing your hair.

It may also make your arm feel weak. There are many options for treatment, but they are generally more effective if the injury is diagnosed early. At your appointment, your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms. Additional testing, such as an X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI, may be used to confirm the diagnosis and assess the severity of the tear.

Your doctor may recommend physical therapy to improve the strength in your shoulder. Surgery can help repair the tendon and if necessary, replace the shoulder joint. The pain from frozen shoulder can worsen at night, especially if you sleep on the affected shoulder.

People most at risk for this condition have had a medical procedure or situation that limits movement in the arm; for example, somebody who has had a stroke or a broken arm. Frozen shoulder usually gets better on its own within 12 to 18 months; however, physical therapy can be helpful to help maintain and recover mobility within the shoulder.

Corticosteroid injections can help manage pain, although these injections are generally more useful in the early stages of frozen shoulder. When the humorous upper arm bone is forced out of the shoulder socket, shoulder instability occurs. Sometimes this is a result of overuse, while some cases are a result of sudden accident or injury. Shoulder dislocations can be partial or complete, meaning the ball comes either partially out of the socket or out of the socket. The condition can also be caused when patients have loose ligaments in their shoulder — whether the looseness is their anatomy or a result of repetitive overhead motion.

Those who play volleyball, tennis, or swim sometimes have stretched shoulder ligaments. Shoulder separation is a condition caused solely by loose ligaments — the bones remain in place, but the loose ligaments create a feeling of instability and weakness in the shoulder. As detailed above, some specific sports and occupations can increase the risk of problems with the ligaments in the shoulder. Physical therapy and modifications to your activities can help minimize the symptoms.

Physical therapy can also help strengthen the shoulder to improve stability. Anti-inflammatory medications and injections can also help to relieve the swelling and pain. Surgery is sometimes necessary to repair damaged ligaments, allowing them to hold the shoulder in place again.

At MOA, we see consistently positive outcomes for shoulder surgeries. The ball joint of the humerus upper arm is held in place by the labrum — a rubber tissue attached to the shoulder socket to help keep the joint stable. A SLAP lesion superior labrum, anterior to posterior is a tear above the middle of the shoulder socket.

Tears to the labrum can occur from a sudden injury or can wear and tear as we age. Injuries that can cause a labrum tear include falling on the shoulder or arm, a direct hit to the shoulder, reaching overhead rapidly or a sudden pull.

At first, ice helps relieve pain and reduce swelling. Try applying ice to your shoulder for the first 48 hours after discomfort begins:. After 2 to 3 days, start moving your shoulder with the aid of moist heat:.

Eventually, your doctor may want you to do more to stretch and strengthen your shoulder. For exercises you can do at home with your doctor's approval , see:. Medicines don't heal rotator cuff disorders. They help with pain and inflammation. This allows you to start exercises to stretch and gradually strengthen the shoulder, which reduces the risk of stiffness or a frozen shoulder.

Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label. Surgery typically is used to repair a torn rotator cuff in a healthy young person, because good results are more likely if there is little or no evidence of other problems. If surgery isn't done right away, repair of a large tear may not be as successful. But it still usually relieves pain and restores enough strength for you to do routine, nonstrenuous activities. After surgery, a program of physical rehabilitation rehab is very important.

You may not do as well after surgery if you aren't willing or able to commit to completing a challenging physical rehab program. Shoulder surgery for rotator cuff disorders usually involves one or more of the following:. These procedures may be done arthroscopically , by traditional open surgery, or by a combination of the two approaches. Sometimes a rotator cuff tear is so severe that it can't be fixed in the usual ways. If this happens in a younger person, the doctor may suggest moving another tendon to substitute for the torn tendon.

In an older person, the doctor may suggest a special shoulder replacement. The success of surgery for rotator cuff tears depends on many things, such as:. A physical therapy and rehabilitation rehab program usually involves exercises to stretch and gradually strengthen the shoulder. Some physical therapists may use other techniques, such as massage or ultrasound, to relieve pain and reduce muscle spasms. This program of treatment may be used without surgery or as part of recovery after surgery.

It can reduce pain in the soft tissues such as the muscles, ligaments, and tendons , improve function, and build muscle strength. Common difficulties with rehab programs include:. Although completing a rehab program may be hard, a successful outcome after surgery depends on your commitment to treatment. If you follow your physical therapy plan closely and get help when you need it, you are more likely to restore shoulder strength and movement. Exercises for rotator cuff disorders include:.

Experts are studying a new treatment for chronic calcifying tendinitis of the rotator cuff. The treatment uses sound waves to create shock waves that destroy calcium deposits in the rotator cuff tendons. This is called extracorporeal shock wave therapy. Some studies show pain relief and increased range of motion. But more studies are needed to see whether these results can be duplicated and to measure long-term results.

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Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Shoulder Torn rotator cuff Reading medicine labels. Rotator Cuff Disorders. Topic Overview What are rotator cuff disorders? Rotator cuff disorders include: Inflammation of the tendons tendinitis or of a bursa bursitis. In the shoulder, a bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac that serves as a cushion between the tendons and the bones.

Impingement, in which a tendon is squeezed and rubs against bone. Calcium buildup in the tendons, which causes a painful condition called calcific tendinitis. Partial or complete tears of the rotator cuff tendons. How does the shoulder work, and what does the rotator cuff do? What causes rotator cuff disorders? Most rotator cuff disorders are caused by a combination of: Normal wear and tear. Using your shoulder for many years slowly damages the rotator cuff.

As you age, everyday activities can lead to changes in the rotator cuff, such as thinning and fraying of the tendons and reduced blood supply. Activities in which you use your arms above your head a lot—such as tennis, swimming, or house painting—can lead to rotator cuff problems. Even normal motions made often over a long period can stress or injure the rotator cuff. What are the symptoms? How are rotator cuff disorders diagnosed?

How are they treated? For most rotator cuff disorders, doctors recommend these steps first: Rest the shoulder. Use the arm, but do so carefully. Don't keep the shoulder still with a sling or brace. This can lead to stiffness or even a frozen shoulder adhesive capsulitis. Use ice or heat on the shoulder, whichever feels better. Examples include ibuprofen such as Advil and naproxen such as Aleve. Or try acetaminophen such as Tylenol. It can help with pain but will not reduce swelling or inflammation.

Avoid positions and activities that are uncomfortable, such as lifting or reaching overhead. Stop any activity that hurts the shoulder. Surgery may be a good choice if you are young and your rotator cuff has been in good shape.

Surgery may not work as well if your tendons are weak and frayed. Surgery is not a substitute for physical therapy. Even after surgery, you may need months of physical therapy to have a full recovery. Health Tools Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health.

Decision Points focus on key medical care decisions that are important to many health problems. Actionsets are designed to help people take an active role in managing a health condition. Cause In a rotator cuff disorder, tendons that make up the rotator cuff get squeezed and rub against bone.

Symptoms A rotator cuff disorder causes pain and weakness in your shoulder. The amount of pain usually depends on how much damage there is: Minor damage. Pain most often occurs only when you are active and is usually relieved with rest. Moderate damage. You will likely notice pain both during and after activity. Pain may also occur at night, especially when you lie on your shoulder. Severe damage. You may have continuous pain.

Symptoms of rotator cuff tendinitis In tendinitis inflammation in the tendon , the pain usually starts gradually, over the side of the shoulder and the upper arm.

Your shoulder and arm aren't particularly weak but it hurts to use them. The pain may spread down the outside of the upper arm, even to the elbow. The pain may be worse at night and may keep you awake, especially if you lie on that side. These are just a few reasons why an orthopedic surgeon is the right choice when it comes to what kind of doctor to see for rotator cuff injury.

Stephen Soffer is certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and fellowship trained in shoulder and knee surgery. He possesses expertise in the treatment of orthopedic conditions and sports-related injuries. When under the care of Dr.