A Hand Therapist Could Help Heal Your Rotator Cuff Tear.
Rotator cuff tears are extremely common and extremely painful! Many people who suffer from them report a dull ache in their shoulder, as well as difficulty sleeping on the affected side or reaching behind their back. This type of pain usually does not go away on its own and can seriously impair your ability to comfortably perform your daily routine.
The good news is that if you have a rotator cuff tear, you don’t have to live with the pain indefinitely. Our clinic’s hand therapists can assist you in obtaining the pain relief you deserve. Contact Ozark PT Specialists today to learn more about rotator cuff injuries and how our experienced team of occupational and physical therapists can assist you.
What exactly is a rotator cuff?
The rotator cuff is a group of shoulder muscles and tendons that connect the arm bone (humerus) to the shoulder blade (scapula).
This group of shoulder muscles and tendons enables the shoulder to move with greater stability and flexibility. The rotator cuff is made up of four muscles that can all be injured or torn. If this occurs, you may experience pain or weakness.
A rotator cuff tear can sometimes stop a person from raising his or her arm at all, preventing them from performing their job, picking up their children, or even doing something as simple as getting dressed without pain.
Reasons for rotator cuff tears
Repetitive overhead activities, such as painting walls, washing windows, playing tennis, swimming, or lifting weights incorrectly, are the most damaging to the rotator cuff. Rotator cuff tears can be caused by an injury or develop over time. Injuries can result from a fall, a blow, or a strong force pulling on the arm. Athletes are also at risk for these injuries.
Rotator cuff wear and tear causes tears to form over time. Slouching or hunching forward reduces the amount of space available for the rotator cuff to move freely, causing friction. Inflammation and, in the worst-case scenario, a tear can result.
Common risk factors for rotator cuff injuries
According to the Mayo Clinic, the following factors may increase a person’s risk of rotator cuff injury or tear:
- Jobs in construction. Carpentry and house painting are examples of occupations that require repetitive overhead arm motions that can cause rotator cuff damage over time.
- Family history. Rotator cuff injuries may have a genetic component, as they appear to occur more frequently in certain families.
- Age. Rotator cuff injuries become more common as you get older. People over the age of 60 are more likely to suffer from rotator cuff tears.
Certain complications may arise if this type of injury is left untreated for an extended period of time. You may develop a permanent loss of motion or weakness in your shoulder or arm. Untreated rotator cuff tears frequently lead to rapid degeneration of the shoulder joint.
The good news is that therapy for this type of injury exists and is highly effective! You don’t have to waste time going from doctor to doctor in order to get well-deserved pain relief. Our clinic’s occupational or hand therapists can help you recover and resume your normal lifestyle!
How can I benefit from hand therapy?
Hand therapy relieves many patients’ symptoms and allows them to avoid surgery. If surgery is required to repair the torn tendons, the arm will be in a sling for four to six weeks. A therapist will show you how to move safely and protect yourself after surgery.
A therapist will monitor and guide a patient’s progress based on the surgeon’s recommendations. Initially, therapy will focus on gaining shoulder motion through passive movement, in which the good arm assists the operated arm in movement.
Our therapists can also show you how to use heat and ice to manage pain. A hand therapist can demonstrate safe daily activities and sleeping positions to relieve pain at night. The arm will be able to move without assistance as the tear heals, and your muscle groups will grow stronger. Exercises to improve posture and core strength may also be included in your therapy plan. Once the repair is strong enough, a therapist will assist with the return to hobbies, sports, and work.
Ready to start feeling better? Contact our clinic today!
If you’ve suffered a rotator cuff tear, don’t worry; help is just around the corner.
Contact Ozark PT Specialists today to learn more about how our skilled occupational and hand therapists can help you recover and return to doing what you enjoy. We’re here to help you through your recovery process, no matter how long or short it takes!