The rotator cuff consists of four muscles that stabilize your shoulder joint and aid in lifting and rotating your arm.
A rotator cuff tear happens when the tendons—tough, connecting tissues from muscle to bone—around your upper shoulder bone come loose. This injury can cause pain and make it hard to move your arm, troubling routine tasks like brushing hair, grabbing things from a shelf, or lifting a bag.
Common Causes of Rotator Cuff Tears
Frequent overhead movements and certain jobs, like painting, increase the risk of rotator cuff injuries. These tears can develop from ongoing strain or sudden actions. For instance, if you switch to tennis after winter without adequate preparation, you might tear your rotator cuff. Overlifting, excessive arm use during activities like moving, or injuries from a fall or shoulder dislocation are also typical reasons for these tears.
Symptoms of a Rotator Cuff Tear
Experience a constant, dull shoulder pain that intensifies when you lay down.
Feel discomfort from the shoulder to the upper arm.
Notice a pop or crack when moving your arm.
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Experience shoulder pain during overhead lifts or throws, or even at rest.
Noticeable arm weakness.
Sensation of your shoulder being stuck.
Best Treatment for Rotator Cuff Tears
At Stride Physical Therapy, your shoulder specialist will inquire about your pain's history—its onset, whether it was injury-induced or slow-developing, and what eases or intensifies it.
Your visit will start with a physical exam where your Freehold, NJ shoulder specialist will check for pain points by pressing on your shoulder and moving your arm in different positions. They'll also measure how far and easily you can move your arm on your own. An X-ray might be done to see if there are other causes of pain like arthritis or bone issues, although it won't show torn rotator cuff tendons. An ultrasound, which uses sound waves, may be used for a quick and detailed view of your shoulder, helping to direct treatment injections if needed. Finally, to get the clearest picture of your rotator cuff tendons and to check for tears, your doctor will probably request an MRI.
If you have a rotator cuff tear, your Freehol, NJ specialist will likely suggest trying non-surgical options first. This includes resting the shoulder and doing physical therapy to build up nearby muscles. They'll usually not recommend a sling, to prevent a condition called frozen shoulder. Taking anti-inflammatory drugs or getting corticosteroid shots can also ease inflammation and lessen shoulder pain, making movement easier.
Surgical Solutions
If your shoulder pain persists despite non-surgical treatments, consider surgery. This minor procedure uses an arthroscope to examine the rotator cuff for tears. While deeper and complete tears are repaired surgically, shallower ones might just be cleaned. To mend the tear, sutures and anchors reattach the tendon to the upper arm bone, encouraging healing. Post-surgery, you'll wear a sling for 4 to 6 weeks to immobilize the shoulder and protect the repair. Physical therapy follows to restore mobility and strength to the shoulder.
MEET YOUR RECOVERY TEAM
Kanwal Bhardwaj
PT, M.Sc.PT, CIMT, CMNT
Meet Kanwal Bhardwaj, PT, M.Sc.PT, CIMT, CMNT, the driving force behind Stride Physical Therapy in Freehold, NJ. With over 20 years of dedicated experience in the field, Kanwal brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for holistic healing to his practice. Kanwal's journey began with a Master of Science in Orthopedic Physical Therapy from Quinnipiac University in 2004. Over the years, he honed his skills and gained invaluable insights during 18 years of service in outpatient physical therapy offices. In 2014, fueled by a desire to deepen his understanding of patient care, he pursued a manual therapy certification (CIMT). This transformative experience allowed him to adopt a whole-body perspective, focusing on treating the root cause rather than just the symptoms...
At Stride Physical Therapy, we're dedicated to transforming lives. With a focus on the root cause of your condition, we're here to help you regain mobility and embrace an active lifestyle. What sets us apart? Our genuine passion for what we do. Let's stride towards a brighter tomorrow together.
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Find Relief for Your Hip and Knee Pain with Physical Therapy
Finding it tough to walk without a limp? Worried that your days of being active are over? Are hip and knee pains making every move unbearable? If hip or knee discomfort is wreaking havoc on your daily life and you're seeking relief without turning to medications or surgeries, there's an alternative.
Physical therapy offers a non-invasive way to lessen the pain in your hips and knees, enhancing the performance of these essential joints. Get in touch with Stride Physical Therapy in Freehold, NJ, today to discover how we can assist you in getting back on your feet!
How Physical Therapy Eases Hip and Knee Pain
Once we pinpoint the cause of your hip or knee pain, our physical therapist can recommend strategies to help ease your pain and get you moving comfortably again. We might start with passive exercises where we help move your joint to increase its range of motion without pain. Exercises that ease the load on your joints are also beneficial. For example, swimming or water activity lessens the stress on your hips and knees as they don't have to carry your full weight.
We'll also suggest exercises to tackle your hip or knee pain and improve joint health. Strengthening exercises bolster the muscles and tissues stabilizing your joint, and corrective movements and neuromuscular training teach you how to keep your posture aligned and balanced.
Beyond exercises, our physical therapy includes treatments like heat, ice, and massage to help manage pain and accelerate healing.
Common Causes of Hip and Knee Pain
Hip and knee pain can be caused by a variety of problems. Some of these are related to musculoskeletal misalignment, poor posture, and/or excess weight; others occur as the result of natural aging or unhealthy sports/work habits. Your hip or knee pain may stem from:
Traumatic injuries, such as dislocation of the joint
Postural/alignment issues that throw your body off balance, straining the knees or hips
Runner’s knee, an instability of the kneecap
Osteoarthritis, a painful inflammatory condition involving deteriorated joint cartilage
Tendinitis, or stretched ligaments
Bursitis, an inflammation of the friction-reducing sacs surrounding the joints
Infections
Our physical therapist can often determine the cause of your hip or knee pain from its location. For example, pain along the inside of the hip is more likely to be caused by a problem with the bones or cartilage. Pain along the outer side is typically caused by a problem in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments.
Why Did My Hip and/or Knee Pain Develop?
Your hips and knees play vital roles – the hips support your upper body's weight and your knees support the weight of your body above them. They need to be flexible for activities like walking and running, but this can lead to ongoing hip or knee pain. Pain in these areas can arise slowly from regular wear and tear, or quickly and sharply if you get injured.
Relieve Your Hip and Knee Pain Today
Are you ready to reclaim your pain-free mobility through physical therapy? Contact Stride Physical Therapy in Freehold, NJ, for an appointment! Our dedicated team is here to help you find relief and improve your quality of life.
