Rotator cuff injuries are common, especially among athletes and individuals engaged in repetitive overhead activities. These injuries can significantly impact your ability to perform daily activities and negatively affect your quality of life, making effective treatment imperative. With 14 locations throughout New Jersey, Breakthru Physical Therapy offers specialized care to help patients recover from rotator cuff injuries and regain strength and mobility.
What are Rotator Cuff Injuries?
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint. These muscles and tendons work together to enable a wide range of shoulder movements. Rotator cuff injuries can occur due to acute trauma, such as a fall or lifting something heavy, or from chronic overuse, often seen in sports like baseball, tennis, and swimming.
Common symptoms of rotator cuff injuries to watch for include:
- Pain: Felt in the shoulder, often extends down the arm, and worsens with lifting, reaching overhead, or sleeping on the affected side.
- Weakness: Noticeable weakness, especially when lifting or rotating the arm, making everyday tasks difficult.
- Limited Range of Motion: Difficulty fully lifting the arm or performing overhead activities.
- Crackling Sensation: A popping or crackling sensation (crepitus) when moving the shoulder, often accompanied by pain.
- Stiffness: Increased stiffness, especially after periods of inactivity.
- Swelling and Tenderness: Swollen and tender shoulder, indicating inflammation.
- Night Pain: Pain that worsens at night, disrupting sleep.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek a professional evaluation. Early intervention with physical therapy can help manage symptoms and promote healing.
What to Expect of the Rehabilitation Process at Breakthru
The primary goals of physical therapy for rotator cuff injuries are to reduce pain, improve shoulder function, and prevent further injury. At Breakthru Physical Therapy, our experienced therapists create personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs and injury severity. The rehabilitation process typically includes the following:
- Initial Assessment and Diagnosis: Our therapists will evaluate your shoulder through a detailed physical examination, medical history review, and, if needed, imaging studies like MRI or ultrasound. This helps determine the injury’s extent and informs the treatment plan.
- Early-stage rehabilitation: The initial focus is on reducing pain and inflammation using rest, ice therapy, NSAIDs, and modalities like ultrasound or electrical stimulation.
- Restoring Range of Motion: After managing acute pain, gentle stretching exercises are introduced to improve flexibility and prevent stiffness. Our therapists will guide you through exercises to gradually increase shoulder mobility.
- Strengthening the Shoulder: We design a progressive strengthening program targeting the rotator cuff and surrounding muscles. This includes using resistance bands, light weights, and functional movements mimicking daily activities and sports.
- Functional Training and Return to Activity: As strength and mobility improve, we focus on functional training to prepare you for daily tasks, work, or sports. Exercises will simulate real-life movements and address specific challenges you might face.
- Education and Prevention: We emphasize education on proper body mechanics, posture, and techniques to prevent future injuries. We also guide you in maintaining shoulder health and incorporating preventive exercises into your routine.
Discover the Breakthru Difference
At Breakthru Physical Therapy, we provide high-quality, patient-centered care to patients across New Jersey. Our skilled therapists have extensive experience treating rotator cuff injuries and work in state-of-the-art facilities to help you achieve your rehabilitation goals. Recovering from a rotator cuff injury can be challenging, but with the proper intervention, you can regain your strength, mobility, and quality of life. If you’re dealing with a rotator cuff injury, contact Breakthru Physical Therapy today at 1-732-444-3578 or schedule an appointment here.
