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Physical Therapy Treatment for Rotator Cuff Tear Rotator cuff tear is quite a significant and debilitating shoulder issue. However, simple physical therapy could go a long way in facilitating healing. A rotator cuff tear could cause significant shoulder pain and affect movement. The rotator cuff is basically a fourmuscle network that holds the arm in the shoulder socket. It performs the important task of helping you lift or rotate your arm, and connects the humerus and the shoulder blade. A tear in one of the tendons takes away some of the attachment of the tendon to the humerus head, causing movement issues and pain. Tears could also be more severe.
Physical Therapy Is Important Indeed Whether you choose surgical or non-surgical options for treating rotator cuff tears, physical therapy is a major factor contributing to the success of the treatment. However, recent findings have also suggested that in many cases physical therapy could prevent the need for further http://www.hqbk.com/
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treatment. They’ve revealed that 75% of patients could avoid surgery through physical therapy in spite of contracting full thickness tears. Patients not having surgery in the initial 12 weeks were found to not need surgery at all. The aim of physical therapy exercises during the recovery phase is to restore normal functioning to the shoulder. The individual must be able to function with as little pain as possible. The shoulder muscles must be strengthened and stretched. The physical therapist would instruct the individual regarding the right techniques for moving the shoulder.
Physical Therapy in Non-surgical Treatment Exercises involve methods to stretch your shoulder joint tendons and muscles. Stretching exercises consist of: • • • • •
Posterior stretching Anterior shoulder stretch Towel anterior shoulder stretch Wall stretches Pendulum exercise
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Shoulder strengthening exercises include: • • • • •
Internal band rotation External band rotation Wall push-ups Arm reach Scapular shoulder blade retraction with, and without, tubing • Isometric exercises
Physical Therapy in Surgical Treatment Physical therapy is also helpful in the rehabilitation stage following surgery. It is an integral element of getting the patient back to normal activities by regaining flexibility of motion and strength. There are three stages of rehabilitation following the surgery. •
The first step is immobilization where the repair must be protected as the tendon heals. The arm would usually be put in a sling to prevent it from being used for around 4 to 6 weeks, depending on how severe the rotator cuff tear is.
• The second stage in the rehabilitation physical therapy is passive exercising. These exercises are designed to http://www.hqbk.com/
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improve the range of motion of the shoulder. This is typically performed by the physical therapist holding the arm and moving it in various positions. • The next phase is that of active exercising, commencing between 8 and 12 months following the surgery. The physical therapist will take the patient through a strengthening program for increasing strength and improving arm control. Total recovery would take some months. Functional motion capabilities and strength have been reported to return around 4 to 6 months following the surgery. Successful rehabilitation through physical therapy is a gradual but very effective process in helping the individual return to his/her sport or other regular activities. Physical therapy is an integral element of rotator cuff tear treatment no matter how severe the tear is. Posted by HealthQuest http://www.hqbk.com/
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