ROTATOR CUFF TEARS

ROTATOR CUFF TEARS – CAN PHYSIOTHERAPY TREATMENT PREVENT SURGERY?

A recent study (Journal of Bone and Joint Health ) looked at patients with atraumatic full-thickness tears of their rotator cuff for a period of two tears. The patients in the study underwent physiotherapy rehab strengthening exercises, local and surrounding soft tissue and joint mobilisations. At the 12 week point in the study and their physiotherapy treatment, only 15% of patients went on to have surgery for their rotator cuff tears. By the 2 year marker, 75% of patients were able to avoid having surgery altogether, to repair their full thickness rotator cuff tears with physiotherapy alone.

Having a good regular physiotherapy treatment and rehab programme for at least 12 weeks before you opt for surgery straight away is the right pathway for treating rotator cuff tears.

The things that City Physiotherapy will focus on are:

1. IMPROVING YOUR SHOULDER MOVEMENT

In hands on treatment sessions we will focus on your passive and active range of movement.  Passive movement is the movement that the therapist does to your joints. Good passive range of movement is essential for you to be able to perform active range of movement exercises yourself at home. Your shoulder range of motion is often gradually diminished as your rotator cuff symptoms increase.   There could be various reason for this such as a pain avoidance strategy or not using your arm.  Your shoulder (glenohumeral) joint capsule can become stiff and your will also have soft tissue tightness around the shoulder, arm, upper back and neck.   Your Physiotherapist at City Physiotherapy will work on all of these to assist you shoulder range of movement and pain.

2.SHOULDER STABILITY EXERCISES FOR YOUR ROTATOR CUFF  

We will teach you how to activate and restore good activation and dynamic stability in your rotator cuff and surrounding muscles.

3.MINIMISING THE IMPACT OF YOUR ROTATOR CUFF TEAR ON THE REST OF YOUR BODY

We want you to be functioning at your best, therefore we might look at other areas than just your shoulder function. Possible areas of impact on the rest of your body are areas such as your neck, thoracic spine, scapula, forearm, hand, pelvis, and lower body.

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