Can My Rotator Cuff Tear Heal on Its Own?
About two-thirds of people experience shoulder pain at some point during their lives. While shoulder symptoms can have different causes, rotator cuff problems are a significant reason for painful shoulders, especially as you age.
At Woodlands Center for Special Surgery in The Woodlands and Willis, Texas, our orthopaedic and sports medicine experts treat rotator cuff tears using advanced techniques and a patient-centered approach for optimal healing and recovery. Our team wants you to know about rotator cuff tears and their treatment.
Quick facts about rotator cuff tears
Your rotator cuff is a group of tendons and muscles that work together to hold your shoulder joint together and help you lift and raise your arms. The cuff surrounds the top part of your upper arm bone (the humerus), keeping the ball part of the joint firmly seated in the hollowed-out socket.
Rotator cuff tears can occur as a result of a traumatic injury, like falling on your arm when it’s outstretched. But degenerative tears are more common, developing over time due to wear-and-tear in the joint or overuse injuries.
Some tears happen when bone spurs form on the joint's surface, abrading and ripping the tendon or muscle tissue.
The most common symptoms of a rotator cuff tear include:
- Deep aching in the shoulder
- Pain when raising your arm
- Weakness in the shoulder
Rotator cuff tears can make it difficult to do simple activities like combing your hair or reaching over your head, and many people find their symptoms make it difficult to get a good night's sleep.
While some very mild tears may heal independently, most tears need medical intervention. The good news: Many people achieve good function in their shoulders even without surgery, as long as they seek treatment promptly.
Treatment options for rotator cuff tears
Our tailors rotator cuff treatment to the severity of the tear, your symptoms, and your lifestyle to help relieve painful symptoms and support healing and recovery.
Modifying activities
Taking a break from activities that place a lot of stress on the shoulder joint gives your shoulder a chance to jumpstart the healing process. Even simple actions, like adjusting your computer monitor and keyboard, can relieve your rotator cuff.
Using a sling
If you have a rotator cuff tear, you can strain the joint tissues even when your arm is hanging at rest by your side. An arm sling supports your shoulder, reducing strain and giving the tissues time to heal.
Medications
Oral medications are available to relieve both pain and inflammation. If these medicines aren’t effective in providing long-term relief or need increasing doses to stay comfortable, corticosteroid injections may be a good alternative. Administered directly to the shoulder joint, these injections can significantly decrease painful inflammation.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy focuses on strengthening the shoulder joint and improving circulation for natural healing benefits. Therapeutic activities change over time as your shoulder improves, helping you return to regular activities without pain or stiffness.
Surgery
Surgery is usually reserved for very severe tears that can’t be treated adequately with conservative treatments. It’s also typically advised for athletes or other people who use their shoulders for work or other activities.
Find relief for your sore shoulders
Rotator cuff tears respond best with prompt, early treatment. If you put off seeking treatment, the tear can become a lot worse, and you could wind up with permanent shoulder disability.
If you have shoulder pain or stiffness, don’t delay care. Call the offices closest to you. Woodlands Special Surgery Center offers care for various orthopedic and sports injuries.
Our expert team includes: Board-certified surgeon Dr. Mark Ciaglia, who is fellowship-trained in hand and microsurgery, board-certified surgeon Dr. William J. Jordan, who specializes in sports medicine, board-certified podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Hemali Patel, DPM,and Susanne Ciaglia, R.N, NBC-HWC, CAHNP, a certified autoimmune nutrition practitioner and board-certified health coach.