The rotator cuff is a group of four tendons or muscles that strengthen and stabilize the motions of your shoulders. It keeps your upper arm bone (humerus) in your shoulder blade’s (scalpula) socket intact. The chances of rotator cuff tears increase with age and are common, especially among athletes. Rotator cuff tears occur when one of the tendons pulls away from the tight space in your upper arm bone.
You may experience intense shoulder pain and difficulty in lifting your arm overhead and turning and rotating it. The situation becomes worse because of the excessive pain at night. Generally, this injury happens due to overstretching of the shoulder joint, repeated overhead activities, or long-term tear and wear of the tissue. Any partial or complete rotator cuff tear is a serious health issue that needs immediate medical attention.
What Can be the Probable Causes of Rotator Cuff Tears?
The causes of rotator cuff tears include:
- Low blood supply to rotator cuff due to old age
- Long-term wear and tear of the soft tissue
- Acute injury
- Overstretching of shoulders (beyond the normal limit of movements)
- Repeated overhead motions (eg. painters and carpenters are at high risk.)
Watch Out for the Symptoms of Rotator Cuff Tears
- Excessive pain in shoulders that restricts daily activities
- Pain, difficulty, and tenderness while performing overhead activities
- Trouble and pain in bringing head to the back
- Clicking sounds while rotating the arm
- Difficulty in sleeping due to excessive pain at night.
What is the Course of Treatment for Rotator Cuff Tears?
Seeking on-time medical help is vital to restrict the further progression of the disease. Treatment for rotator cuff tear includes both surgical and non-surgical options. Depending on the severity of pain and tear in the tendon, Dr Banarji BH, one of the best orthopaedic surgeons in Bangalore, prescribes the treatment.
Many patients get timely relief in their symptoms with non-surgical treatment. Let’s discuss some of these options first:
- Apply hot or cold bags to reduce inflammation in the affected area of the shoulder
- Give rest to your shoulder with an arm sling to heal
- Physical therapy to restore strength in muscles
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as naproxen and ibuprofen
- Inject the affected area with a steroid to reduce inflammation, but it does not promote healing
- PRP injections might help in very small tears.
In most cases, surgery is the ideal treatment for rotator cuff tears. During the surgery, the surgeon:
- Inserts a tiny camera (arthroscope) through a small incision in your affected shoulder
- Takes the help of internal images while inserting surgical instruments through small incisions
- Reattaches the tendons into their native position in the shoulder.
Dr Banarji’s Expertise In Helping Patients with Rotator Cuff Tears
Dr Banarji BH is a highly esteemed orthopaedic surgeon in Bangalore, renowned for his expertise in treating rotator cuff tears. With a distinguished legacy in shoulder and upper limb disorders, he consistently provides exceptional surgical care. Dr Banarji’s results are on par with the best orthopaedic centres globally, solidifying his reputation as a leader in the field. His dedication to innovative techniques and patient outcomes has made him a trusted authority in managing complex rotator cuff injuries, ensuring patients receive top-tier treatment and achieve optimal recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my rotator cuff is not reparable?
Even if a torn rotator cuff cannot be repaired, it doesn’t mean treatment should be ruled out, nor should individuals feel compelled to live with the condition. Alternative treatments are available, both surgical and non-surgical. Non-surgical options include anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, ice therapy, modifications in activity, and physical therapy.
What if my rotator cuff has no healing potential?
If your rotator cuff can’t heal, it likely means the tear is too big, worn out, or pulled back too far for regular surgery to work. In this case, you may need to consider other treatments, like tendon transfers, reverse shoulder replacement surgery, or focus on managing pain and improving movement with physical therapy, depending on how serious your condition is and your lifestyle needs.
What are the latest advances in rotator cuff repair surgery?
Recent innovations in rotator cuff repair surgery emphasise the use of minimally invasive arthroscopic methods, incorporating advanced suture anchors and bioinductive scaffolds to improve the healing process.
