Yes Erik... the tendon grows special fibers back into the bone... they are called Sharpey fibers. They grow slowly which is why we delay rehab and strengthening for months after a rotator cuff repair.
Great question Gregg ... you should review your workout plans with your therapist or trainer so you are working well together instead of against progress with your program. We do not like people to push significant weight, nor do we like quick jerky motions when you have rotator cuff injuries. Good Luck!
Dear Dr. Luks, I am a 62 YO man that suffered a overhead weight lifting… diagnosis: 1/2 thickness rotator cuff tear, labrum tear (I’ve watched your labrum video), plus osteoarthritis. Question: Can you provide some guidelines wrt whether or not surgery vs rehab makes the most sense for an older patient? I’m very active/fit (at least in my mind) and don’t want to compromise my future. Thank you!
Muscles can begin to atrophy shortly after a complete rupture occurs... the keyword being complete tear. That means that the entire tendon of one of the muscles has torn off the bone. If you have a small tear, then some of the tendon is still attached so atrophy is less likely to occur.
Very informative! I had surgery for rotator cuff, 6 weeks after I fell with my bike (fully loaded bike for a 3 month bike touring). Two weeks after surgery started physical therapy. I now had 10 weeks, and plan to continue for another 10 weeks (60 sessions total). The progress is amazing, but it’s hard! Every day doing the exercises at home several times a day, every day requires a lot of effort. But having plans to continue bicycle touring next year, gives me the courage to continue the exercises and the painful physical therapy sessions. The end result is the most important, and it’s worth the suffering. To everyone here that went through surgery recently: don’t give up! It’s not easy, but at the end everything will be worth it!
I am a 53 year old professional guitarist/instructor and guitar repair tech with what I’m told is a confusing case. I’m proficient sports like compound archery (not in over two years) and biking (rarely anymore). My sport life is now just walking mostly. My work with my hands is my meaning in life. I had a traumatic (sudden) shoulder injury doing something very minor. Woke up with pain and by the end of day couldn’t move the arm at all, which resolved in a couple days. I continued to work, but carefully with much reduced hours. I lifted nothing heavy with the effected arm since the injury. I have instability, apparent asymmetry, weakness, vastly reduced range of motion in certain directions, (both passive and active). The pain continually diminishes, but the function never goes beyond a certain max. I have weird slushy/crunchy noises in that shoulder. It’s my dominant arm. The other arm is not 100% either strength wise, but it seems “normal”. I favoured the dominant arm for that reason. Now I’m in trouble. What I absolutely cannot do is this: I can not bring the back of my hand straight up to my mouth from the arm hanging. I have to raise it above my head and then bring it down while turning my wrist. A lot of my work activities are made really difficult by the various less intense ROM difficulties. Abduction makes me raise my humeral bone up. My effected side pec doesn’t seem to fire if I do a mock bicep curl. It just stays flaccid. It looks “bunchy”. My AC joint was slightly out of alignment when I went to physio. She realigned it, but it drifts around a bit. There is no apparent “bump” at the AC joint to suggest a ligament fracture. The wait in Canada for an MRI is almost 2 years. An ultrasound is close behind. I think estimated 400 days/700 referrals unless I can get triaged ahead of some other poor bastard. Does this sound like a RC tear? If so, which part of the cuff? Or something else.
Please tell me what you call a large tear that needs surgery! I have a fully-torn tendon 2.1cm by 1.1cm. Two shoulder surgeons told me I need surgery. I am scheduled at the end of January. Is my tear considered large?
Ben .. 25 is young for a full thickness rotator cuff tear. Most providers would favor surgery if our examination and your history point towards the rotator cuff as the source of your pain.
Most partial tears are rehabed with a rotator cuff regimen, and strengthening of the scapula stabilizers (rhomboids, traps, serratus anterior). Perhaps your physician can give you a specific set of exercises, you could choose to work with a trainer or therapist, or you can check out you tube for other protocols too.
Ron ... Most sports docs wouldn't mind light weight training, jogging and aerobics while you consider your options. The recovery from rotator cuff surgery in general is a lot longer then you want it to be :-(. It can be quite a while for some (up to a year) -- but that depends on tear size, quality of your tissue and the quality of the repair. Good Luck. Your first question to your doc should be -- why does this tear need to be fixed? What are my alternatives?
Dr. Luks, can a tendon "grow back" into the humorous once it has been anchored through surgery and recovery/healing? After attaching the tendon to the humorous, will the body work to reattach itself to the bone? If it does, can you explain this to me or provide a link to this information. Thank you.
Brian... that's a tough situation. There are many surgery centers ... see article on one in Oklahoma from this past weekend --- that will offer you and all-in cost to have the surgery performed. Whether or not surgery is even necessary is another question altogether. Only a good history (from you) and exam can tell us that.
Erik.. It's not possible for me to give you a treatment plan just based on an MRI finding. Some rotator cuff tears will prove to require surgery, while others will not. It depends on patient variables, how the tendon and muscle appear on the MRI and other issues which need to be put in context as well. Sorry and good luck!
My mum recently suffered from severe shoulder pain. On x-ray, it was found that there is superior subluxation of the humeral head and narrowing of the acromiohumeral distance in keeping with a supraspinatus tear. My mum is 85 years old. Suffers from chronic illness (diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, gout and most recently anemia). We saw a Orthopedic surgeon and he recommended surgery unless my mum can tolerate pain by taking medicine. She is unable to take diclofenac to ease the pain as this will compromise on her kidney function. She also cannot tolerate tramadol. The fact that my mum is diabetic, anemic and her age will work against success of op! Will the injury heals with time? Grateful for your kind advice.
Great insight ty .. I had an acute tear in Nov .. June 2 is my surgery date .. it’s about 1/3 of my suprapunatis .. I’m 50 .. decided it’s the best move .. I have good ROM but lots of night pain and I’m a body builder, so …
I just subscribed! Here’s my question. I’m 70 with a full tear, had 4 shots during the past 20 months. Still very active as a building contractor and miss my gym and weight training a lot. Having a lot of uncertainty and anxiety about getting surgery at my age and the thought of being out of commission for 6-9 months weighs heavily on my decision to have surgery. Am I doing myself further harm by not getting surgery. Are there a maximum number of shot my shoulder can take before it becomes a problem? Thank you.
Thank you. A lot of this depends on what is torn. Many, many people your age have small full-thickness supraspinatus tears. Some have larger tears involving more than one of the four rotator cuff muscles. Statistics favor fixing larger tears if the imaging studies show that they are likely to be repairable and the tissue looks thick and healthy. Research also shows that small supraspinatus tears are likely degenerative (age-related) and can often be treated with PT alone. Injections diminish the chance of healing. Any injections within a year of surgery decrease the chance that the cuff will heal to the bone. Thus the risk of failure of the surgery increases. The larger the tear, the more of a problem this could be. Many of us prefer not to continue with more than 1-2 injections in people who might benefit from surgery. We use the injections primarily to calm down the bursitis pain to enable people to get into PT and properly rehabilitate the shoulder. People who are not candidates for surgery- either due to health reasons or other reasons can continue to receive injections a few times per year--- but those injections take their toll on the cuff tissue and other structures too.
That type of complaint and pain pattern can be associate with a number of rotator cuff issues ... such as inflammation, bursitis, rotator cuff tendinosis, partial and complete tears. Only a good exam, and possibly an ultrasound or MRI can tell for sure. Good Luck .
At 16, your primary ongoing issue is going to be whether or not your shoulder dislocates again. Unfortunately the risk of that is high at your age. You may or may not be able to return to full activities depending on whether or not your shoulder remains "unstable". Did your doctor talk to you about labral tears? Good Luck !
Luisa... that is a very common way for people to injure their rotator cuff. If you have weakness and pain with certain ways you move your shoulder you should consider seeing a shoulder doc. After their examination they may choose to obtain an MRI or ultrasound to "see" the rotator cuff. Good Luck and I hope you feel better... enjoy the baby!
Its been abour 3 months that I had a bad fall on an outstretched left hand and have been diagnosed a near complete tear in MRI. The pain is tolerable and arm motion has improved from zero with physio. Hopefully will improve more. I am 70 yrs old Do I need surgery to fix it? Zahid Rashid Pakistan
Hi , I am 55, a keen exerciser and fell halfway down a pit saving myself with right arm . 18 months ago , no MRI due to lockdown . Just had MRI 10 weeks ago .. full 1.4 supra tear. Biceps really painful . Then 8 weeks ago fell two steps upstairs ! Same injury left arm . Not as big slightly smaller tear . Can you advise? Want to try and avoid surgery . No physio referring to ortho … just basic sets of exercises not targeting correct muscles . Many thanks . Heather
I just visited the site and it's AWESOME! I did both the internal/external stretches 15 mins ea. side. The internal was less painful than external. I was AMAZED to be able to reach over w/o any pain whatsoever to put my jersey on. I am just wondering why the external was more painful that the internal and what the difference is. Again, I fell straight forward & down onto both palms as though I crash landed into a were in pushup form. Ouch! Would love to know your thoughts.
IT is possible.. but it will be a long road back ... usually 6-12 months. The results also depend on your 1. Surgeon 2. Size of the tear 3. Quality of your tendon tissue 4. The degree of "retraction" or "fatty atrophy" that is present. If you have a good surgeon, quality tissue, a firm repair with little or no retraction and atrophy the odds favor a good result. Good Luck! Howard Luks
Dear Dr. Lukes, 52 year old male with torn RC diagnosed 5 weeks ago with MRI. Working on rehab exercises but was wondering what free weight, upper body exercises I can still do that won't further injure or impede RC rehab? I've looked on-line but there seems to be varying opinions on what to do and/or not to do. Appreciate your opinion and for posting this informative video.
Hello Dr Luks, thanks very much for your presentations so far as they have been helpful for me in preparing for surgery. I've recently had a lateral meniscus tear in my right knee repaired just over 7 weeks ago, and now I'm wondering about my rotator cuff in the left shoulder. So it's awkward having issues on opposite sides of the body. To help prevent deterioration, would protein foods like meat, fish, eggs etc with exercise help delay surgery. What would you suggest or recommend?
Question: I damaged my rotator cuff three weeks ago. The orthopedic doctor took an x-ray and said "You don't have a rotator cuff and walked out." His assistant sent me to therapy. I am 73 years old and am in constant pain. I cannot lift my arm forward or to the side. I have an appointment with another doctor on July 21. How long do I have until the muscle turns to fat? Thanks. Shalom/gw
thank you Dr Luks, I am 44 yrs female. left arm has always been the weak one since childhood. I have a very bad habit of going beyond my limit to carry very heavy grocery bags and / or luggages, also bad postures that I just could not seem to correct. since I moved to northeast, cold does not do me much good, it literally chills into my bones. about two month ago I would hear snaps on my left shoulder when raise my arm overhead for more than minutes. about a month ago in real cold , I was carrying extreme heavy duffle bag , running across the airport to catch flight. Next day my whole body was locked up, all my joints loosen up but could not lift my left arm, the bone just does not slide into the socket. it was stiff for first two weeks, now I still can't lift high, but stiffness turns into occasional throbbing at night. it seems to be worst in front of arm . I can't reach back without severe pain. simply lost flexibility to lift arm all the way up. I tried those exercises shown on tube and rotational movement hurts really bad, but at least I can reach to back a bit more than before. should I stop exercising or keep going with pain during exercise? I know the tear is probably massive. I know I should see an orthopaedic surgeon, but unable to at the moment due to insurance/financial reasons, I will need to wait a few more weeks before they approve to see a surgeon. just wondering if it sounds like a full tear to you?
This was highly informative, precise, and nicely presented. Thank U! I had a fall back in 07-missed a curb fell straight forward onto both palms of hands. I didn't realize how severe my fall was until a few days later when I could not put on my bra. I found a 15 min. video online showing PT movements that I could do at home. After 3-4 wks of constant home PT I felt fantastic. I've been doing the exercises since then, but the video is no longer avail. Do you have anything similar? Thx in advance!
Dunno if anyone gives a damn but if you're bored like me during the covid times you can stream all the latest movies and series on InstaFlixxer. Been binge watching with my brother lately =)
There is at least 50% depth articular surface tear of the subscapularis tendon with 2.4 cm transverse x 2.7 cm vertical height area of involvement. This may actually be detached off the lesser tuberosity with slender attenuated tendon fiber extending to the greater tuberosity attachment. No fatty atrophy of the subscapularis muscle. Teres minor is maintained.
MRI Findings: There is a 17 mm transverse x 11 mm sagittal diameter full thickness tear of the supraspinatus tendon at the anterior insertion with tendinopathy and interstitial tears of the retracted tendon. No muscle volume loss or fatty atrophy. Contrast extends into the subacromial subdeltoid bursa through the rotator cuff tear.
I developed some minor pain in my shoulder only when I try to touch the inside of my elbow to my face. I also have lost some strength when attempting a lateral raise with the affected arm. However, I do not have constant pain. In fact, I can still do push-ups pain-free. My Orthropedist recommends surgery after an MRI showed a minor tear. I'm not so sure if I want to do this as I can still do most of my gym routine and don't have pain with the vast majority of the movements. What do you think?
thanks to your ver concise video I can almost assume that I have a tear in one or 2 of the rotator cuff muscles as I slipped on a wet bank of grass while videoing on a cellphone and can now move my arm very or out to the side , my question how long is to long to wait for treatment as this happened on Christmas day and the orthopaedic doctor is not back in practice till the 12 Jan. and as we are now dealing with this pandemic and I have little bad pain I hesitate to go to an ER, your opinion would be greatly appreciated , many thanks !
YOu should have the shoulder examined sooner rather than later. traumatic tears due to falls, etc are managed a little differently than traditional degenerative tears.
@@HowardLuksMD Thank you for your very prompt reply, I am a fit 67yo and have full use of my hand and arm below the elbow and have virtual no pain as long as the upper arm and shoulder are not jared but I cannot lift my arm above my head with out using my other arm and cannot turn the arm out away from my body , do this symptoms relate to a tear once again many thanks
Thank you for the replies. After visiting with our ortho surgeon and his examination of the MRI film and report, the full thickness tear is not at the bone but in the tendon (near the humorous of course). It appears as though the tendon is intact at the bone but with a full tear a little way away from the bone. Ortho says that anchors and sutures will pull it back to the bone. My question is what do they do with the supraspinatus tendon that is still attached to the bone?
I need help . I am 73 . I had to do very heavy lifting and pulling at work up to a thousand lbs on steel wheels and 90 lb bags lifting . The pain in my right shoulder got so bad family physician at time was 60 kept telling me just arthritis . Pain got so bad couldn’t lift a coffee cup . So I retired at 63. 2 yrs ago a friend referred me to sports medicine orthopedic. MRI showed 4 ligaments torn loose , retraction above shoulder and below , with complete atrophy of the bicep. Did not explain total shoulder , so my thought I would have no shoulder . He said could do repair at 50% success ? so I said repair . Needless to say still having hard time with it ! Now my other arm , my left , had 3 tears . I had surgery last Dec of 2021 . My therapy I don’t think was correct this time , still having pain and the popping in the shoulder can be heard . This worries me cause the sharp quick pain goes through but the pop hurts but after the pop I can lift my arm better . What is causing this popping and what should I do ? The Doctor’s practitioner is all I see and I’m told unless I have fallen no problem . The therapist, a different one so many times I go , the new guy I had that day he pulled on my arm so hard that was causing pain , I had not had anything that stress excerises yet at all , after that I’ve had trouble so I quit believe cause they would not let me have the same therapist. That said , I day 2 or 3 after surgery my doctor started my therapy session , Therapist said put your hands on the table as she went to her lap top looking away said now walk back away with hands on table , one step I nearly screamed in pain I can’t do it . She said we will skip this one today ? But gave it on my paper to do at home . I have been so active and healthy and no one believes my age they are shocked when I say I’m 73 . Do I need to be concerned with this popping ???please help !! this is my only arm that I could use completely if I can save this arm !!! I’m tired of pain and pain pills to help me get to sleep at night !!!! I would be so grateful for help with advice at least !!! Email burnsr2@gmail.com or peggydecker02@gmail.com
Dr Howard greetings I have minor tear in teres minor after a minor trauma at the gym 16 days ago would that heal dr? Also I don't have any sign of weakness or anything just little localized burning sensation and cracking sound at the front of my shoulder that has decreased a bit since the injury
Would you share experiences of ill place and forceful injection...I experience this...and experience exreme pain and severe limited ROM..and am having great difficulty getting proper care related to injury... I appreciate you r information...
I have a three and a half centimetre tear in my supraspinatus tendon. I am 65 years old I'm scheduled for surgery next week. My question is, I am still working as an equipment technician and I still play golf every day. Do I still require surgery or should I wait.
Once a rotator cuff has been torn; it never stops tearing. You might as well get the surgery over with. Rehabilitation for a tear is a living Hell. Godspeed!
First, thanks for the help Doctor. Medical costs are so high and you do this for free. Thank you. I am a ski guide and canoe guide and sailing instructor. Use shoulder a lot. I believe I have minor tear type injury. Do you think I can continue my work? I am 65 years old.
Hi, I’m 62 years old .the MRI showed that I have supraspinatus tear involving one third of tendon thickness, do you think physical therapy is enough to fix it. Thanks
MRI revealed 8 mm near full thickness tear. Doc recommends surgery saying I'm young (if one considers 44 young) fit and strong. Can tears this large benefit from PT or is surgery the only viable option?
Long head biceps tendon appears intact and is located in the bicipital groove on these static images. Super labral degeneration versus articular surface fraying. Type 2 acromion is nonhooked with lateral downsloping. Mild acromioclavicular joint osteorthrosis. Suprascapular and spinoglenoid notch regions and quadrilateral space are maintained.
Hi there doc! Your video is extremely helpful. My MRI showed a surgical tear. Right now I am waiting for. a copy of the report . I am a young 62 and take care of my mom (a young 97)) and help w/ disabled granddaughter. My lifting ability is now compromised. I can't afford the time away to have the surgery but I may need it. Any wisdom for my situation?
Male 43. I had arthroscopic surg. for SLAP-2 in right shoulder in 2002. I never felt I recovered, I was in a sling for over 6 months, very painful for at least that time. Now I have adh. capsulitis in LEFT shoulder AND similar pain in the right shoulder again. Did MRI-orthography on right shoulder to check if the labrum is intact etc. Afraid of bad news, as in new tear, awaiting response. One surgeon said I'm too old for SLAP surgery cause I had passed 40. Can the tear heal? Is this chronic?
We don't usually base the decision for surgery on the % of a tear... except in very specific situations (overhead athletes, etc.) This assumes you're talking about the "thickness" of the tear... and not how much of a tendon is torn. If this is a partial thickness tear.. PT etc are appropriate to try. If 80% of your entire rotator cuff is completely torn, then that's a very different problem. Also, as I mentioned, we approach traumatic tears more aggressively. U need to have long talk w your doc
Very strong chance that physical therapy can get you back into shape and improve your quality of life. These small degenerative tears should not be aggressively treated with surgery.
1. 17 x 11 mm full thickness tear supraspinatus tendon. 2. At least 50% depth articular surface tear subscapularis tendon, with possible detachment from the lesser tuberosity. 3. Long head biceps tendon appears intact, without subluxation or dislocation on these static images. 4. Superior labral fraying or degeneration. 5. Mild acromioclavicular joint osteoarthrosis. Lateral downsloping of the acromion. Possible preacromion anatomic variant versus small anterior ossicle from remote prior trauma.
Night pain is the worst issue we face in patients with rotator cuff disease. It is the most debilitating part of the treatment process as well. In addition, many patients choose to be treated... therapy, medications, injections and occasionally surgery because of night pain.; Get a bit more PT under your belt ... good luck. Howard
In addition, I was able to shoulder press 225 and bench press 340 before any injury. BTW, the tear was NOT the result of weightlifting, but from a fall. Is it theoretically possible that with the finest rehab care, nutrition, myofascial release therapy, etc., that I could some day shoulder press and bench press my numbers like before? If so, what do you estimate the full recover time to be to get to this point? If not, please explain why not. Thanks for your continued responses. (;^}
Nothing wrong with trying physical therapy first to see if his pain subsides. If it does you can simply watch the tear for follow up visits for signs of a tear that is getting larger, or degenerating. Cortisone injections alter the bodies ability to heal. So surgery within a few months after receiving the injection is not a great idea. Good Luck 1 Howard Luks
Thank you for your reply I've since been to the Doc and all he did was some simply 'grab my hand push up push left right and so on and prescribed me slow release anti-inflammitories and told me to rest and see then,it's getting better daily, thanks again!!!
wow. that was really good. nice job. question: with small rotatory cuff tears, whats the best method to recover from those? for instance, with me, I seemed to have damaged the rotatory cuffs from a night at the gym. since then, I have trouble with things like getting my wallet from my back pocket, reaching back, putting t shirts on etc. so its minor tear. im not in SEVERE pain.
I have a complete rotator cuff tear and need reverse shoulder replacement. This is on the right shoulder. I have TIAA dealing with my left hand. Would you suggest rehab center recovery.
nice video , very informative , had a rotor cuff repaired 6 yrs ago and has been good untill 6 weeks ago ,hard to sleep cannot reach around to wash back etc all those things a torn cuff makes it hard to do , muscle spasms down the bicep ,nerve shocks etc , have had an ultra sound that shows up 2 tears and a lot of fluid and degeniration , was very impressed by your video , clear ,straight to the point no mumbo jumbo , am due to see the same surgeon who performed the 1st one 6 yrs ago in 1 weeks time [ he is a highly qualified orpathedic knee and shoulder surgeon ] so hopefully all will go well , thank you steve hanlon australia
Steve, I'm in the same boat as you I think. It's been 5 years for me since first operation and now I'm feeling that same rotten pain I felt the first time around. I see you posted this 2 months ago. Did you get your second operation after all?
Im 17 years old and i think i might have injured my cuff rotator. ITs my 2nd week now. I do weight lifting quite often. I can lift my arm in full motion and it doesnt hurt that much. but if i do 90 degrees rotation exercise with it, i can just feel my shoulder clicking and it hurts a bit. I am not so keen about surgery or the injections. Should I continue doing the stretching exercises? and will i be able to lift normally after I have recovered? hoping to hear from you real soon, thank you!
so what are there therapies including. with regards to a mild tear that does not need surgery. how would you recommend going about that? what kind of rehab? thanks
Howard, great job on this. I have AC joint degeneration, along with shoulder impingement syndrome. Yet to have surgery and is nagging. Can you chat about AC joint issues?
Hello Doctor, I found your video very informative. I need your advice. I am 71 years old. Before Jan 2019 I had minor problem with my right shoulder but still I was able to do most of the exercise which included yoga, stretches and weightlifting. But since Jan 2019 i started having more pain and was not able to do my regular exercises and at times was having pain at night. In Jan 2019 I had MRI done. The MRI report findings: complete retracted tear at up to 1.8 cm of the supraspinatus; chronic tendinosis, small intrasubstance ganglion cyst within the infraspinatus, muscle belly atrophy of the rotator cuff is noted. My tear is not due to due to a fall or injury. It is due to chronic impingement -tying, writing time spent on computer wiring, gardening, chopping. I am seeing physiotherapists. My physiotherapist thinks that my pain is largely by impingement. I get dry needle and do targeted exercises it is getting better: Most of the night I can sleep with out pain. I have 4 questions: 1) can I manage life without pain with right exercises? 2) do i need surgery? 3. if i don't get surgery , will my tear get worse and or larger as I get older? 4) do you recommend any other type of therapy or tools I can use to manage pain? I look forward to hearing from you. Many thanks, Indira
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I would like to know, I hurt my right shoulder hot yoga, I stopped, but it didnt get better. Now dr. give prescription anti inflammatory, I dont have pain anymore, but it hard for me put hand my back. Does exercise can help recover movement?
Dr. Lukes, I would appreciate your thoughts on a couple of questions. First, what is your experience on the accuracy of MRIs in diagnosing rotator cuff injuries? My MRI indicated I had a 1.5 cm full thickness tear. After months of therapy and injections with no improvement I decided to have it surgically repaired. To my surprise I awoke from surgery to be told that the MRI had not shown the full extent of damage. That in actuality two of my four rotator cuff muscles were completely torn and had atrophied to the point that there was nothing left to repair. The surgeon said the damage to my tendons was at least 5 years old. How could that be possible with me not knowing? I've just turned 60, spent a career in the military, and continue to lead a very active lifestyle. Since I don't know how I damaged my shoulder this bad in the first place is there anything you would recommend that I should, or should not be doing with my shoulder?
HI Bill.... AN MRI can under-read or over-read rotator cuff injuries. But the atrophy should always be clearly visible on the MRI. Most tears are caused by degenerative rotator cuff disease-- therefore your tissues just wear out over time. Therefore it is not unusual to have a tear and not know it for a long period of time. www.howardluksmd.com/orthopedic-social-media/cause-rotator-cuff-tears-shoulder-expert-series/ Many people can live an active life with a rotator cuff tear, some can not. If PT fails to improve your situation you can talk to your surgeon about procedures such as tendon transfers, or a superior capsular reconstruction.
I went for a sogorey 27 years ago for my shoulder know as putti plate and now IAM experience a pain in my shoulder after fall from the fall and I know I have tear my rotator cuff.
Mr. Howard Luks 3 days ago i was benching a heavy amount of weight and i felt pain on my shoulder my friend who was spotting me says my posture was poor since its my first time on that weight i left the gym when that happend and i just rested at home, i couldnt raise my arm or simply lift my arm due to shoulder pain and as of Now its fine and way less pain i still feel it but ill rest for a week or two. Do you think i tore a rotator cuff? When do you think i should be able to lift again? Thanks
Thank you! i was so worried. Im just going to give it another week to rest. Do you think an injured labrum could heal by itself in most cases? and should i still do the strengthening exercises?
I have a tear rotating cup tear and went too hostpal in Sonora CA and all they did was give me a sling and told me too go see your doctor but this shoulder I have injured 4 times now and don't no what too do I have taken ibp 600hunderd does not help me much and ice and heat only helps a little for me
I have 6 cm Rotator cuff tear nd spur 6 months ago full movement but when lift something heavy sharp pain Dr told me no surgery 3 weeks of working shoulder out nd back to work but I think I need surgery!!!
Tough to say Dundee... certainly "sounds" like your rotator cuff isn't particularly happy. But without an examination it is hard to say if it's just inflammation or something more significant. If your pain persists for another week or two perhaps a visit to a shoulder doc is in order. Good Luck
Hi, appreciate your video. I am a female, 65 yrs, fell hard on elbow and have an 80% tear, 70% and 20 % tear of rotator cuff tear on MRI. Treatment has been conservative with one cortisone injectionion. Arm weak, waking at night from pain. At what % tear should surgery be an option? Thanks. M
I (Aged 60) had full Rotator cuff tear eight month back when i fell down but MRI was done only now. The pain has gone away mostly and hurts only on some specific motions. No night pains and my only problem is that I am not able to play golf anymore. Now, I am scheduled surgery with Plasma Reinforced protein injection after two weeks and completely confused weather to take risk or not. My number of apprehensions are 1-Weather it will make things worse? 2- Does the surgery will attach back the tear naturally or this is only mechanical fix and may give some new problems as for now I am pretty much OK with my daily routine? The other catch is that my insurance will no more be available after this one month.
Sadly... fixing SLAP tears in 40+ year olds frequently leads to stiffness... this is one reason why many choose to treat SLAP lesions differently at our age. Most of these tears are chronic and they are commonly seen (and ignored) when we scope shoulders for other problems like rotator cuff disease. Good Luck...
I have been diagnosed with a RTC strain due to work as a cashier.(repetitive motion) however, work comp has been denied saying this is not work related. What thoughts would you have. Also have tennis elbow with numbness on top of arm from elbow down to wrist. All on same side.
Hi Howard, I was just wondering if it's difficult to distinguish bicep tendon pain and rotator cuff pain? I saw a physiotherapist about shoulder pain not too long ago who believes I have biceps tendonitis from weightlifting. Im still worried about the pain and believe that it could be rotator cuff pain. Do you think it's worth getting an MRI or second opinion for this pain? Thanks.
Hi. When I first saw my orthopedic surgeon all he did was take an X-ray. He told me that I had a frozen shoulder. He sent me to therapy for about three months. I finally got an MRI and he said I had a slight tear. Like you mentioned he said it was attached on one side and frayed on the other side. I stopped the Physical Therapy and found that I had less pain. What causes the pain?
How do you know if it's inflamed? I was told my shoulder was inflamed before I took the MRI and found out I had a tear. By the way, my shoulder use to hurt when I went to Physical Therapy. I finally stopped after three months to take the MRI. Now I am doing very little movements in a pool and feel so much better. It still hurts though. I'm sticking with the water therapy!!
I m suffering from pain in my left shoulder from 70 days. According to doctor its a rotary cuff tear. But the pain has readuced a lot now What should i do now ? Is it Okay if i delay MRI test ?
I was doing a dumbell press in the gym 2 weeks ago and going into the starting position I felt like a little crunch in my right shoulder. Since then I feel a pain at the top of my shoulder especially if I reach upwards with my arm going inwards. I have put ice on it and stretched it a few times a day but what I'd like to know is how long can it roughly take to heal and what can I do to prevent it from recurring. I'd really appreciate it if you could give me any advice on this. Thanks
I'm 22. i have dislocated both by shoulders in the past 3 years, im quite flexible.. however whenever the dilocate i can pop them back in. i do alot of surfing and my shoulders get tired very quickly, i think maybe the movement is strengh=thening the opposite side of my shoulders? i also have winged scapula.. i really dont want surgery, i would be so distraught if i couldnt surf for ages.. how long does it take to heal after surgery though? :'(
I am post op a complete rotator cuff tear and bicep tendon complete tear as well. I had a quick movement to my arm during a close car wreck and the repeat MRI is showing bone marrow edema of the humeral head, another tear in the infraspinatus tendon (not complete) and heterogeneous signal. I fear needing more surgery. Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Good Video. Thank You. You got me concerned now I waited too long. I'm 57 now and In my 20's arm wrestling the other person jumped up pulling back when I almost had pinned. My arm would heal but re-injury was not uncommon if strained too hard as in bench pressing. In past few months is bothering me most of the time and like you said especially at night sleeping on my back. Shoulder wants to go lower due to gravity and feels like what is supposed to hold my shoulder in socket is allowing it to pull out ever so slightly. It's more in the front as you would expect bicep to connect to. If I were to try dumb bell exercise for traps while standing that motion is killer.
Hey Doc how are you?.I am 50 years old the problem I am having according to a MRI that was done on my right shoulder is that I have a full thickness tear of my rotator cuff . How bad is that,what should I do?. I was going to get surgery but decided not to, some friends were telling me that most of the time surgery don't work. I never got therapy this pain has been bothering me for about four years now. I would like to do something about it, I am very active and would like to be normal again.
Hey Doc, just found out today I have a Full Rotator Tear, it happened during a workout, I mainly feel it at nighttime when lying down and a little during the day. I know I shouldn't lift weights but can I still jog, or do stairs or even cycle? It happened 1 month ago. how long is recovery post op? thanks
I have a thick rotor cuff tear, I had surgery on it 6/15 and it didn't work. The doctor says he can't do surgery again. I am in alot of pain and don't have much use of the arm. Is there any other options for me? Chiropractor? Tens meter? Taping? Please help! Thanks
Oh my goodness Lori. That's unthinkable. I am so sorry this has happened. I sure hope you get all better very soon. I have the same dx and am scheduled for surgery on June 21st. Yikes!
Do you have experince with recovery being bettered by training the opposite stie rotatorcuff only? This seems to have influence in damaged limbs and so possible allso with rotatorcufftears in order to stop these turning into fattytissue or maybe even as part of process of dooing something about an old injury that has never been fixed in order to retrain it before surgery, for this old injury and so recover an old injury as it is nolonger fatty tissue but instead muscle?
i just had a rotator cuff operation in April. I had what was called a slap tare. However, the pain got worse the longer I waited. I am still not fully recovered but I do go to the gym and lift light weight with it. If any one has any question I will be happy to post some vids on what workouts i am doing and/or did before I had my operation.
I cant afford the 3000 grand up front copay for the surgery. can I strength train the shoulder to compensate? I have a torn cuff and a separated tendon of 4 cm?
I have a full tear from an injury that occurred 2 years ago. It has now retracted 4cm. Doctor says if it can not be stretched for repair, then a graph would be necessary and may not be successful. What do you think? Also, is there a biologics (non-surgical) treatment available?
