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Rexburg pick pt rotator cuff repair

Rotator Cuff Repair Rexburg

Shoulder pain can be frustrating to deal with and take you away from doing the things you love. Lucky for you, Pick PT in Rexburg can help you on your road to healing. One of the most common shoulder injuries that we see are rotator cuff tears. Whether it’s a partial tear or a full tear, there is hope in making a complete recovery. 

Rotator cuff tears can happen to anyone, and we are here to help. Through our highly experienced physical therapists and result-driven techniques, we can get your shoulder from being in pain, immobilized, and weak to strong, functioning, and pain-free. If you are dealing with shoulder pain or a rotator cuff tear, Pick PT has got you covered.

What is the Rotator Cuff? 

The rotator cuff is comprised of the muscles and tendons around the shoulder joint. Four main muscles come together to create stability for your shoulder and allow you to move it. When a tear or damage occurs to this area, it loses these functions and causes pain and weakness. 

Who’s the Most at Risk?

A tear can occur from overuse of the shoulder, age, poor posture, a family history of shoulder injuries, or an accident, such as falling, that results in an injury. It commonly occurs in:

  • Athletes that use their shoulder a lot with certain movements, such as swinging a tennis racket, or that take blows to the shoulder, such as getting tackled in football
  • Individuals over the age of 40 who have worn down their muscles over time
  • Individuals who lift heavy objects or have their arms overhead repeatedly 

Symptoms of a Rotator Cuff Tear 

If your a rotator cuff injury develops more and more overtime, its likely that the symptoms do as well and that the tear is minor. However, if an injury occurs that tears it in that instance, it can cause immediate and severe pain. 

These symptoms can range from mild to severe, but include the following:

  • Pain when trying to move the shoulder 
  • Pain when sleeping on the side that’s torn
  • A grinding or popping sound and sensation in the shoulder
  • Weakness when trying to raise an arm or lift something
  • Constant pain when completing normal activities 

Treatment for a Rotator Cuff Tear

If the tear is small enough, usually it can fully heal through strengthening it in physical therapy. However, if the tear goes all the way through, surgery is needed to make a full recovery. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, it is important to consult with a doctor to know the best course of action to follow in your healing journey. 

The first step in treating the condition is diagnosing and understanding its full extent so that you can get the right treatment. This appointment with a doctor can look like this:

  • First, you will discuss with the doctor how this occurred, how long you’ve been dealing with it, your medical history, and the current state of the pain and immobility.
  • After this, they will conduct an MRI or ultrasound to get a visualization of where the tear is and how severe it is.
  • From this point, the doctor will recommend either nonsurgical options or surgical options, depending on the outcome and your specific situation.

Surgery

If the doctor recommends surgery, they will discuss these options with you. The two main surgeries are arthroscopic repair or open repair. Arthroscopic repair consists of making small incisions in the shoulder and using a small camera to find the tear, which is then sutured together using special tools. Open repair is done if the tear is larger, where the incision made is bigger and the rotator cuff tear is easier to get to. Your doctor and surgeon will thoroughly walk you through the procedure and answer any questions you may have before completing the surgery. 

Nonsurgical Treatment – Physical Therapy 

Whether you need physical therapy after a partial tear or after surgery, it will help bring your strength and mobility back so that you can return to your life. At Pick PT in Rexburg, our knowledgeable and experienced physical therapists can help get you back and even better than before. Through this process, they will:

  • Discuss with you the extent of your injury, medical history, and the goals you have
  • Develop a plan that focuses on proper healing and aligns with your goals 
  • Help you manage pain through ice therapy, heat therapy, and electrical stimulation
  • Help you do exercises correctly and increase the intensity as your shoulder allows
  • Listen to your needs and adapt the plan if needed 
  • Educate you on preventative measures and tips for daily life

Why Choose Pick PT?

At Pick PT, our number one priority is elevating your life. We want nothing more than to be a helping hand in your healing journey. We cherish the relationships we build with clients and want them to feel safe, comfortable, and taken care of when they step into our facility. 

Our facility is also equipped with the highest quality of tools and equipment all in one place. Our team is highly trained to use this equipment properly. We have experience working with individuals with all sorts of injuries and know what truly works well. If you choose us to be a part of your healing journey, you can trust us. 

When do I know if surgery is needed?

If you have been trying nonsurgical options for your rotator cuff tear and it’s not improving at all, it may be time to consider surgery. If pain is prolonged and nothing is helping, surgery may need to be done to promote healing. You may also want to consider surgery if you play a sport that uses your shoulder a lot and has been causing you pain.

When should I seek immediate help?

Minor shoulder pain over a long period of time may not urge you to seek help right away. However, if you are experiencing immense pain, your arm starts to go numb, and you can hardly move your shoulder, you should see a doctor right away.

What is the average recovery time?

If the tear is partial or minor, you can expect to recover anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks with proper care. If the injury requires surgery, it may take 6 months to a year, depending on how major the surgery was and how good you take care of it after.

Contact Us Today

If you are experiencing shoulder pain or a rotator cuff injury, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with us. We can answer any questions or concerns you may have and get you on the road to recovery. Don’t wait to get back to the life you love.

Schedule Appointment

(208) 534-7001
Fax: 208-534-7002
Email: patientservices@pickpt.com

Rexburg

160 W 2nd S #1
Rexburg, ID 83440

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Rigby, ID 83442

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