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A 35-year-old male asked:
How to recover from a rotator cuff injury?
2 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
Dr. Rohit Keswanianswered
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 27 years experience
Rest and exercise: As long as it is not torn, a cuff sprain/strain resolves with rest for a couple of days with the use of anti inflammatory meds, followed by gradual exercises involving rotation of the shoulder (look up codmans exercises, which are pendulum exercises for the shoulder). Perform slowly, as pain resolves, can add light weights while performing them to strengthen rtc muscles.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. David Tuckmananswered
Hand Surgery 25 years experience
Physical Therapy: Physical therapy is the mainstay of treatment for rotator cuff strains. I personally have not found injections of cortisone very effective.. These can sometimes take 3-6 months to improve.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Charles Metzger commented
Orthopedic Surgery 31 years experience
I agree, but I do A LOT of cortisone injections because they almost always help with the pain some, for awhile, and that can help progress in therapy. It is true that a cortisone injection doesn't really "cure" the problem, and they often only work for a few days to weeks.
Apr 21, 2012
Similar questions
A 45-year-old member asked:
How long does it take you to recover from rotator cuff injury?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Allen Luanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 26 years experience
6-12 weeks: Typically, a rotator cuff strain resolves in 6-12 weeks. They are sometimes associated with other injuries that may take longer. Rotator cuff tears do not heal on their own. They may calm down and stop producing pain, but will not heal back to the original position. Healing after a rotator cuff repair takes 12-16 weeks and continues to improve 6 months after surgery.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Hashim Alani commented
Specializes in Plastic Surgery
my rotator cuff surgery healed well in4-6 weeks
Aug 20, 2012
A 46-year-old member asked:
What are the tests for rotator cuff injuries?
4 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
Dr. Robert Purchaseanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 25 years experience
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).
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old member asked:
How do you identify a rotator cuff injury?
4 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
Dr. Nika Ferdowsianswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Strength Testing: There are a series of tests a doctor can use to determine which, if any, of the rotator cuff's have been injured. In most of these tests, the physician will ask you to hold your arm out in various positions and ask you to hold it up against resistence. Pain, or inability to hold up the arm may be an indication of injury. Also, an MRI can help determine injury as well.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
How can you treat a rotator cuff injury?
2 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Ahmad M Hadiedanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 51 years experience
It depend: If there is tear or no tear in it, most of the time if you have no tear we treat with medication and physical therapy and injections, if torn most likely need surgery.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed Mar 31, 2023
A 31-year-old member asked:
Is a rotator cuff injury a serious injury?
4 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Allen Luanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 26 years experience
Yes: At your age, a rotator cuff tear would be a very serious injury. It is extremely rare for a 31 year old to have a rotator cuff tear. A strain of the rotator cuff, however, usually resolve on their own without too much worry or too much long term difficulties. If may be time to see your friendly neighborhood orthopedic surgeon!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 22, 2019
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