Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment You Can Rely On at Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican Hospitals
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons in the shoulder. It keeps your shoulder stable and allows you to lift and rotate your arm. When one of the tendons tears, it causes a rotator cuff tear, either partial or complete.
Find a Doctor or call (702) 616-4900 to find out more about the treatments we offer for rotator cuff tears in Las Vegas or Henderson, NV, at Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican hospitals.
Symptoms of Rotator Cuff Tear
The main symptom of a torn rotator cuff is shoulder pain. If the tear happens suddenly, the pain will start immediately and be severe. You may also feel a pop or a snapping sensation accompanied by feelings of weakness.
If the tear develops over time, then the pain may start mild and gradually get worse. This may cause pain when lifting and lowering your arm, and at night when lying on the shoulder. Arm weakness and a creaking or crackling sensation when you move your arm can also be symptoms of a rotator cuff tear.
What Causes Rotator Cuff Tears?
A sudden tear is usually the result of trauma like a fall or from lifting something heavy. Gradual tears develop from wear and tear of the tendon. With age, tendons undergo this degeneration, which weakens them and makes them vulnerable to injury.
Repetitive shoulder motions, such as overhead movements, can also irritate the tendon, causing an overuse injury.
Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV
Continuing to use your shoulder despite the pain of a rotator cuff tear can make the tear worse, so you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Early intervention can keep the injury from getting worse and help you get you back to your active lifestyle.
Along with rest, your doctor may also recommend taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to reduce pain and inflammation to help the tissue heal.
Physical therapy can also help by strengthening the muscles that support your shoulder and restoring movement. Corticosteroid injections are sometimes necessary. If nonsurgical treatments fail to relieve your symptoms, surgery may be needed to repair the tendon.
Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican offers a variety of options, including Opus® AutoCuff® rotator cuff repair, for rotator cuff tear treatment in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV.