Rotator Cuff Tears Treated in Arlington, VA

The rotator cuff is a complex system of muscles and tendons that stabilizes the shoulder joint and allows for a wide range of motion, providing the arm with the ability to rotate and lift. The shoulder is integral to many daily activities, and its extensive mobility makes it susceptible to injury. For instance, a rotator cuff tendon can gradually tear with repetitive use or rupture suddenly through direct trauma.

The hallmark sign of a rotator cuff tear is shoulder pain when reaching overhead. If you suspect that you have this type of injury, you can consult with a shoulder specialist at Nirschl Orthopaedic Center in Arlington, Virginia. After reviewing your medical history and performing a physical examination, your physician may order imaging scans to further evaluate your shoulder and confirm your diagnosis.

How Is a Rotator Cuff Injury Treated?

When it comes to treatment, experience matters. The board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic shoulder surgeons at Nirschl Orthopaedic Center specialize in performing the latest repair techniques for rotator cuff tears. With that said, we emphasize nonsurgical treatment whenever possible. To improve your comfort and shoulder function, we may suggest that you begin with conservative therapies, such as:

• Rest and activity modifications – To minimize strain on your injured shoulder, you should temporarily avoid overhead lifting.
• Protection – You can wear a sling to limit excessive shoulder motion and protect your injury as it heals.
• Physical therapy – Gentle stretches and progressive range-of-motion exercises can enhance the flexibility of your shoulder and strengthen the muscles that support it.
• Medications – Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be taken as needed to alleviate pain and swelling in and around your shoulder joint.
• Steroid injections – A local anesthetic and cortisone medication can be injected at the injury site to help reduce painful inflammation.

If your rotator cuff tear does not respond well to several weeks of conservative therapy, we may suggest surgery to secure the torn tendon to its original attachment site on the bone with special sutures. In some cases, this procedure can be performed arthroscopically using a miniature camera and tiny surgical instruments, which are inserted through a series of small incisions around the shoulder joint. As compared to traditional open surgery, this approach can offer several advantages, such as less pain, reduced risk of infection and faster healing.

If you would like to meet with a shoulder specialist to discuss treatment options for your rotator cuff injury, contact Nirschl Orthopaedic Center at (703) 525-2200 to schedule a consultation.