Myths and Misconceptions of Rotator Cuff Tear

A rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons in the shoulder. It helps you move your arm away from the body. Rotator cuff tear occurs when these muscles or tendons are injured, making it difficult to raise or move your arm. Accidents can lead to rotator cuff tears. As you age, your tendons wear down, leading to a rotator cuff tear. Rest, physical therapies, and medications can treat rotator cuff injury. Your West Chester orthopedic surgeon can recommend surgery to reattach a torn rotator cuff. There are many myths and misconceptions about rotator cuff injury, and here are some.

Rotator cuff tears are not common

People often confuse rotator cuff tear with other shoulder injuries such as bursitis and tendonitis, thinking it is uncommon. Rotator cuff injuries are prevalent and affect millions of America every year. Although it can affect anyone, older adults and individuals participating in sports have high chances of experiencing a rotator cuff tear. You can easily encounter rotator cuff tears if you engage in activities that involve repetitive use of your shoulders.

Doctors use MRI to diagnose rotator cuff injuries

MRI is a beneficial diagnostic procedure when evaluating sources of pain or accessing injuries. It is a good test that produces clear images of most soft tissue injuries compared to an X-ray. Although MRI can diagnose injuries, it is expensive and not always essential for diagnosis. Doctors can diagnose most rotator cuff tears through traditional methods like functional movement screens that range the strength and movement of your shoulder.

You require surgery to treat a rotator cuff injury

Many rotator cuff injuries can recover without surgery. First, your doctor will consider other treatment techniques like rest, heat and ice therapy, physical exercises, and pain relievers. Surgery will be applicable when your rotator cuff is permanently torn, or pain persists after using non-surgical procedures. Your doctor will determine the treatment method to use after evaluating the extent of your injury.

You cannot move your arm after you get a rotator cuff tear

There are two forms of rotator cuff tears, partial and complete. In partial rotator cuff injury, the tendons are damaged but still attached to the bone. A complete tear means your tendon is entirely separate from your bone. You can experience shoulder weakness and pain that make arm movements difficult in both types. Luckily, these injuries are not permanent, and they improve quickly under proper treatment.

Exercises will make your rotator cuff tear worse

Some exercises can make your tear worse, especially activities adding more weight or stress than the affected shoulder can handle. Some activities being destructive does not mean you avoid all the exercises. Long periods of inactivity can increase the chances of developing a frozen shoulder. Your specialist will advise you on the best practices for the rotator cuff tear during treatment. The appropriate ones will help strengthen the shoulders and relieve rotator cuff pain and swelling.

Do not assume any shoulder weakness and pain to be rotator cuff injury. Visit your reliable health facility for evaluation and treatment. Schedule an appointment at Beacon Orthopedics & Sports Medicine for rotator cuff tear diagnosis and treatment to resume your normal activities involving your arms.

Ulani Uriah

Umar Nisar was born and raised in the busy city of Abbottabad. As a journalist, Umar Nisar has contributed to many online publications including PAK Today and the Huffing Post. In regards to academics, Umar Nisar earned a degree in business from the Abbottabad UST, Havelian. Umar Nisar follows the money and covers all aspects of emerging tech here at The Hear Up.

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