Rotator Cuff Treatment in NYC
What is a rotator cuff tear?
Your rotator cuff refers to a group of muscles surrounding your shoulder joint, which keep your upper arm connected to your shoulder. A torn rotator cuff is an injury that can occur when a person performs repeated overhead motions, such as pitching a baseball or softball, swinging a tennis racket, or painting. Participating in certain sports, hobbies, or work activities can cause a rotator cuff injury, however, a torn rotator cuff can also be the result of a traumatic injury. This condition is often able to be treated with conservative methods, such as physical therapy, but in more severe cases, it may require surgery.
At Performance Health in NYC and Pearl River, our board-certified sports medicine physicians and specialists are experts at treating rotator cuff tears and other injuries. Learn more about our torn rotator cuff treatments below, or request an appointment using the form on this page.
What causes a rotator cuff tear?
While overuse is the main cause of this kind of injury in older adults, traumatic injury is the main cause of the condition in younger people. This can include incidents involving contact sports, a car accident, or a fall from a height.
When the injury is the result of overuse, it can occur after months or years of the repetitive motion. Some of the activities that can cause a rotator cuff tear include:
- Golf
- Skiing
- Rowing
- Softball (especially pitching)
- Running
- Baseball (especially pitching)
- Swimming
- Basketball
- Tennis
What are the symptoms of a rotator cuff tear?
If you experience any of the following symptoms of a rotator cuff injury, it is important to speak with a specialist at Performance Health for an evaluation:
- Deep, dull ache in your shoulder
- Inability to sleep on shoulder
- Arm weakness
- Difficulty reaching high places or behind your back
- Pain while brushing or washing hair
What are the risk factors for a rotator cuff tear?
While a rotator cuff injury can affect any person of any age, the following factors can increase your chances of suffering from the condition:
- Genetics – Certain genes may predispose a person to rotator cuff injuries.
- Age – You are more likely to suffer from a rotator cuff tear if you are over the age of 40.
- Sports – Participating in certain sports involving overhead motions, you may be at risk of a rotator cuff injury after a period of time.
- Workplace – If you work in an industry that requires repetitive overhead motions, a rotator cuff tear can eventually occur.
How is a rotator cuff tear diagnosed?
At Performance Health, our physicians can determine whether your shoulder pain is being caused by a rotator cuff injury or another condition. Usually, our doctors will evaluate your shoulder during a physical exam, which may include asking you to perform small movements as well as describing the pain associated with those movements. When needed, you may be asked to undergo further diagnostic testing to help visualize the exact reason for your rotator cuff pain.
Rotator cuff tear treatment options
A rotator cuff tear can be treated using a number of non-surgical therapies at Performance Health. These include:
- Physical therapy and myofascial release
- Pain management
- Sports medicine and rehabilitation
- Massage therapy
- Regenerative and alternative medicine
If you are suffering from shoulder pain, the first step to improving your health and returning to your normal activities is to schedule an evaluation at Performance Health. Our physicians can help you get back to performance-level health. Call one of our New York offices at 212.486.8616, or fill out the form on this page to request an appointment now.