Question 1

anyone know what is a rotator cuff injury?

Accepted Answer

An injury: To one of the four muscle and/or tendons that make up the rotator cuff.  The rotator cuff is important for shoulder functions like lifting the arm over your head or rotating it. Thanks!

Question 2

how can i avoid a repeat  rotator cuff injury?

Accepted Answer

Be smart & lucky: While there are some variables that you have the ability to control (such as how you lift, what activities you participate in, etc), there are some variables that you cannot easily control. This includes normal aging of the tendon and genetics.

Question 3

why is it recommended to stop overhead activities while treating a rotator cuff injury?

Accepted Answer

One of the: major tendons injured (torn) in a RTC (Rotator Cuff) injury is the SUPRASPINATUS which is the majot muscle/tendon complex responsible for LIFTING YOUR ARM OVERHEAD....thus RESTING IT is a necessary  part of the REHABILITATION from a RTC injury!!!!

Hope this helps!
Dr Z

Question 4

do rotator cuff injuries heal naturally?

Accepted Answer

Rotator Cuff injury: Rotator cuff tears are either partial or full thickness.  If the tear is not painful and there is not significant weakness then no surgery needs to be done. Rotator cuff tears do not usually heal naturally.  You can get some scarring back down, but that is not predictable. Patients not electing for surgery usually recover with pt, but that is more for partial tears.

Question 5

what are the tests for rotator cuff injuries?

Accepted Answer

PE, MRI, US: The first step in evaluating for a rotator cuff tear is talking to the patient about their symptoms and performing a good physical exam (pe) of the shoulder. Often xray's are done to look at the bones. To more accurately look at the rotator cuff, a MRI is commonly done. Mri's are the standard diagnostic test. Some providers are skilled at looking at the rotator cuff with an ultrasound (us).

Question 6

do rotator cuff injuries ever heal completely?

Accepted Answer

Rotator cuff healing: Tears of the rotator cuff  only truly heal to bone when surgically repaired. Tendon cannot stretch back out and reattach themselves to bone spontaneously.

Some partial tears may become asymptommatic with non-op care. However, they do not ever "heal" without surgery.

Question 7

can i still run with a mild rotator cuff injury?

Accepted Answer

Yes: If it is not too uncomfortable to you moving it around but there is no reason that you cannot exercise by running.

Question 8

what does surgery for a rotator cuff injury entail?

Accepted Answer

Fix tendonto bone: Rotator cuff tears are not all the same. Partial tears are either left alone, lightly debrided or repaired. Full thickness tears often require repair of the torn tendon back to the shoulder bone (humerus, greater tuberosity). Surgery is either by open or arthroscopic technique using bone anchors and sutures to reattach the tendon to the bone. Rehabilitation is slow and deliberate for ~ 3 month.

Question 9

should i use gauze for my minor rotator cuff injury?

Accepted Answer

No : Ice usually works well for a rotator cuff strain. If pain persists you should see an orthopedist who will probably prescribe a short course of physical therapy.

Question 10

how long for my shoulder rotator cuff injury to heal?

Accepted Answer

Hard to say: I'm sorry, but there is just not enough info to answer this one. Is it a full tear or partial or just tendinitis? Did it develop over time or from one big injury? Have you had surgery? All of these things, as well as patient specific factors, affect healing. The bigger the injury, the longer the healing. A strain can heal quickly (weeks) but a repaired cuff can take 6 months.

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Cardio training for people with rotator cuff injuries

A member asked:

Anyone know what is a rotator cuff injury?

A member asked:

How can i avoid a repeat rotator cuff injury?

A member asked:

Why is it recommended to stop overhead activities while treating a rotator cuff injury?

A member asked:

Do rotator cuff injuries heal naturally?

A member asked:

What are the tests for rotator cuff injuries?

A member asked:

Do rotator cuff injuries ever heal completely?

A member asked:

Can i still run with a mild rotator cuff injury?

A member asked:

What does surgery for a rotator cuff injury entail?

A member asked:

Should i use gauze for my minor rotator cuff injury?

A member asked:

How long for my shoulder rotator cuff injury to heal?

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