Rotator Cuff Injury And Physical Therapy

It is well known that rotator cuff injuries and tears increase with increasing age and people that perform overhead sports/activities (Baseball, tennis, volleyball, etc.) are more susceptible at an earlier age. In adults, a rotator cuff injury is the most common tendon injury seen and treated. Statistically, approximately 30% of adults age over 60 have a tear, and 62% of adults over 80 have tears (1). If one of the rotator cuff tendon’s is not torn, there most likely is some degree of fraying of the tendon.

Why is the rotator cuff important? Imagine the the shoulder, which is a ball and socket joint, the ball is like a golf ball and the socket is like a tee that the ball sits on. There isn’t much depth to the joint for the ball to sit. That’s where the rotator cuff comes into play which is comprised of 4 muscles to help stabilize the ball in the socket.

Other structures play a big part with shoulder function (labrum, shoulder prime movers, shoulder blade muscles, ligaments, fascia, etc.) and when the rotator cuff is compromised those structures will typically compensate in addition to other joint regions above and below the site affected, e.g. the neck and/or elbow.

Depending on the extent of a tear, symptoms and function, with the appropriate assessments and treatment plan, a good percentage of individuals can function with minimal to no pain with a partial and sometimes even a full-thickness rotator cuff tear due to other structures picking up the slack of the rotator cuff. An individuals goals and what they want to get back to is important to know as part of the rehab process to be realistic about an individuals prognosis. If it is decided that surgery is needed to repair the rotator cuff, prehab (rehabbing before surgery) will set up an individual for a much better post op recovery and outcome!

Are you dealing with chronic shoulder pain? PT hasn’t been successful for you in the past? Are you looking for a different perspective on your situation? Set up a discovery call to see if we are the right option for you to help you meet your health and movement goals.

Reference:

1. May T, Garmel GM. Rotator Cuff Injury. [Updated 2023 Jun 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547664/