For some cases, surgery may be necessary. Arthroscopic surgery may be recommended by your physician to assess the extent of the injury and smooth the surface of the cartilage. In most rotator cuff repairs, a surgeon will suture the torn tendon together and anchor it to a part of the humerus through small drill holes.Medications
Possible medications include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Cortisone injections may also be prescribed to help alleviate pain. Prevention
Check with your doctor before beginning any sport or exercise routine. Also, work your way slowly upwards in weight if doing any weight training or heavy lifting. A sudden jump in load may lead to a tear in the cuff. Some rotator cuff injuries respond well to physical therapy and to self-performed exercises. The latter are considered tedious by many patients and need to be performed very specifically with low weights and multiple repetitions.
Last updated: 16-May-07
