rotator cuff physical therapy

physical therapy rotator cuff tearThe shoulder joint requires tremendous amounts of mobility to function, making information technology inherently unstable and decumbent to injuries.  Overtime, this corporeality of mobility can lead to injuries of the shoulder, including rotator cuff tears.

Unfortunately, rotator cuff tears are common.  Rotator cuff surgeries are performed on between 75,000 to 250,000 patients per yr in the U.S despite several studies showing high failure rates.  While there are many factors associated with these failure rates, rehabilitation has been advocated equally a first line of defence by many to avoid surgery.

Physical Therapy for Rotator Cuff Tears

A recent written report published in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery looked at the effectiveness of physical therapy in treating rotator cuff tears.  The study was performed by the MOON Shoulder Grouping, a grouping of prestigious orthopedic surgeons and research personnel from around the U.Southward.  The manuscript won the 2012 Neer Award for Clinical Research, too!

The study followed over 400 patients with rotator gage tears that were undergoing physical therapy to come across if rehabilitation along could help people reduce pain and return to function.

rotator cuff physical therapyAfter 6 weeks of concrete therapy, only 9% had elected to undergo rotator gage repair surgery., at 12 weeks only 15% elected to have surgery, and in total over the grade of the study merely 26% of people  elected to undergo surgery based off of their symptoms and function.

The manner I see this, 74% of patients with rotator gage tears were able to avert surgery and return to role without significant limitations.  Interestingly enough, if a patient elected to undergo surgery, they usually did and so within the first 12 weeks.  If patients did not have surgery after 12 weeks of physical therapy and then the patient was most likely to avoid surgery at a later point.   The study followed patients for 2 years, which meant most patients were able to conduct on with their lives normally and did non demand surgery down the route.

74% of patients with rotator cuff tears were able to avoid surgery past performing physical therapy

Another recent study in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, as well looked at physical therapy for rotator cuff tears in patients that did not accept sugrery.  In this written report, patients were followed for xiii years (that'due south right, 13 years!!)  and institute that xc% of the patients had no or but slight pain in their shoulder.

That'south a long term outcome that I can handle and imagine the cost savings. And speaking of cost savings, it has been reported that surgery frequently exceeds the costs of nonoperative treatment.  The cost for surgery was ~ $15,000  while nonoperative treatment was only ~$1800.

Simply eye opening! What a departure concrete therapy tin can make in avoiding surgery and saving the patient pain, time and coin…never mind the stress on his family and the health insurance industry.

A properly designed physical therapy program, which includes emphasis on improving motion, enhancing musculus imbalances, and restoring dynamic stabilization of the shoulder joint, can assist many people avoid rotator cuff repair surgery.

Co-Founder and Director of Physical Therapy at Champion Concrete Therapy and Operation.
Larn more than nigh Lenny Macrina.