If you follow professional sports, you have probably heard of athletes needing to take several weeks off as they heal from a shoulder injury, such as a rotator cuff tear. Often, their extended absence is due to the need for surgery. If you have recently hurt your shoulder, you might wonder if you will face a similarly lengthy and grueling experience. The answer is probably not! In fact, most rotator cuff injuries are treatable without surgery. What are some remedies that can help you heal without going under the knife? This blog post discusses a few.
Rest, Ice, and Heat
Pushing your shoulder to work when it is injured is only likely to worsen your condition. In contrast, refraining from activities that worsen the pain can help your body repair itself naturally.
In addition, if your injury is new, applying ice to the shoulder for 15 – 20 minutes at a time several times a day can help reduce inflammation and swelling. If the injury is older, heat therapy can be helpful for soothing sore muscles and providing pain relief.
Corticosteroid Injections
You can always take over-the-counter pain medication to reduce the discomfort of a shoulder injury. But in some cases, medication alone may not offer sufficient relief. Your physician may recommend corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation and pain in the shoulder joint. These injections deliver powerful anti-inflammatory medication directly to the area of concern. Corticosteroid injections can offer significant short-term relief while you and your doctor work on longer-term solutions.
Important note: Long-term use of corticosteroids can actually worsen your condition, so caution is in order if you choose this treatment.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections
Another non-surgical option involves platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. This therapy uses components derived from your own blood, which are then concentrated and injected into the injured area. PRP injections aim to stimulate your body’s natural healing process and can provide powerful pain relief that is more than just a band-aid measure. Because it actually encourages your body to heal, it can provide truly long-lasting results.
Biologic Cell Therapy
Biologic cell therapy, commonly known as stem cell therapy, is another potential treatment option. Stem cells, which are harvested from your own body, can be injected at the site of an injury to promote a healing response. This option is often a good choice for moderate to severe shoulder conditions.
Shockwave Therapy
If you have injured your rotator cuff, or you have developed tendinitis, Shockwave therapy may be a great non-invasive addition to your treatment plan to help your body recover from a rotator tear. By increasing blood flow and reducing pain it provides your body with a little more assistance to get your body back in shape. Shockwave Therapy can be a wonderful non-invasive alternative for Partial tears or even chronic tendon degeneration.
MLS Laser Therapy
MLS Laser Therapy is a remarkable non-surgical treatment that uses three specific wavelengths of light to stimulate a healing response within the body. Essentially, it works by supporting healthy functioning of the mitochondria (the energy centers of your cells). In turn, this increases cellular energy and promotes tissue repair.
Other Options
Other options that may be incorporated into your treatment plan for a torn rotator cuff include:
- Physical therapy often forms the cornerstone of non-surgical shoulder treatment. A skilled therapist can guide you through exercises that strengthen the rotator cuff and surrounding muscles, which supports improved function and pain reduction.
- In some cases, natural supplements or topical treatments may also help manage symptoms.
Consult a Qualified Orthopedic Physician
It is important to keep in mind that every human body is unique, and so is every injury. Do not make any assumptions about what is best for your unique situation. Rather, consult a qualified orthopedic physician. Depending on the extent of your rotator cuff tear and other circumstances, they can recommend your next steps. In rare cases, they might advise you to visit a surgeon. Most of the time, though, great improvements are possible without such invasive measures.
Meet the Practice
Dr. James Pinkston, DO, is a board-certified neuromusculoskeletal physician who offers a broad range of non-surgical orthopedic treatments, including corticosteroid injections, PRP therapy, biologic cell therapy, and more. He and our team often help patients recover from shoulder injuries. To learn more about us or to request a consultation, Contact Asheville Non-Surgical Orthopedics at 828-417-9913.