Healing from a Shoulder Fracture: What to Expect
Depending on the severity of your injury, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to fully rehabilitate a shoulder fracture. Here’s what to expect.
Recognizing the Symptoms of a Rotator Cuff Tear
A rotator cuff tear is more than a mild or simple shoulder injury. Without proper care and rehabilitation, it can become a lifelong disability. That’s why it’s important you seek experienced treatment as soon as possible.
If you’ve recently injured your shoulder, or have chronic pain from an old trauma and suspect that you never received a proper diagnosis, recognizing the symptoms of a rotator cuff tear helps you get the correct treatment and increases your chances of complete recovery.
Dr. Philip Regala serves patients in Naples, Florida and the surrounding areas. He can diagnose and treat the entire range of rotator cuff tear injuries, from partial tears to full tears. Our office provides both minimally invasive procedures and a full suite of surgical options.
Common symptoms of rotator cuff tears
Your shoulder consists of a ball-in-socket joint. This flexible joint is held in place by your rotator cuff, which is made up of four major tendons and muscles. If you tear any part of your rotator cuff, it can cause pain, inflammation , and mobility issues. When left untreated, rotator cuff-related pain and disability can turn into a chronic condition.
Luckily, there are ways to identify a rotator cuff injury. Some of the common symptoms include:
- Being unable to lift your arm above a certain level
- Clicking or popping while moving your arm
- Weakness in your shoulder
- Having trouble picking up things
- A dull ache deep in the shoulder
- Pain when you lay on the affected side
- Pain that disturbs your sleep
- Difficulty brushing your hair or reaching behind you
- Pain when reaching overhead
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it might be a sign that something’s wrong with your shoulder. Once the issue has been diagnosed by your doctor, you can begin deciding on the details of your treatment.
Understanding your treatment options
An experienced orthopedic surgeon will be able to examine your shoulder and assess the damage. From there, they might suggest the following treatments:
- Physical therapy
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
- Steroid injections
- Rest, including a strict break from sports or manual labor
Many mild rotator cuff tears can heal with rest, regenerative medicine, and thorough physical therapy. However, if you regularly use your arms for work or sports, have a serious tear, or experience severe symptoms, your doctor may recommend surgery. Luckily, minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery can ensure a quick recovery.
If you suspect you’ve suffered a rotator cuff tear, it’s best to seek a diagnosis quickly. To get in touch with Dr. Regala, call 239-325-1131, or book an appointment online.
You Might Also Enjoy...
What's the Best Treatment for a Dislocated Knee?
Without proper rehabilitation, a dislocated knee can become a chronic problem. Here’s why you should trust an expert with your treatment.
How PRP Treatment Can Help You Overcome an Injury
When you suffer an injury, your body goes into healing mode. Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, can help boost and support that process, enhancing your body’s natural ability to repair itself.
Got Joint Pain? Stem Cell Therapy Offers Surgery-Free Relief
Joint pain can significantly impact your mobility and your ability to perform normal daily tasks. Stem cell therapy can help your body heal itself, improving function and relieving pain.
The Most Common Sports Injuries
Whether you’re an amatuer or a professional athlete, sports injuries are likely to occur at some point. Here are some of the most common sports injuries, and what treatments can help.
The Benefits of Hot and Cold Therapy
Hot and cold therapy involves more than just occasionally placing an ice pack over an injury or pulling out the heating pad when soreness strikes. Here’s how to use each pain relief method.