Rotator Cuff Tears & Injuries

Rotator cuff tears and injuries affect people of all ages, causing shoulder pain that limits function. Zachary Perlman, DO, is a skilled sports medicine physician at Kai Sports Medicine in Little Silver, New Jersey, who offers many cutting-edge treatments for rotator cuff tears and injuries. Dr. Perlman takes a holistic and integrative approach, providing therapies that support your body’s natural healing and benefit your whole health. Call today or schedule a consultation online. 

What should I know about rotator cuff tears and injuries?

Rotator cuff tears and injuries are common causes of shoulder pain. 

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that hold the ball joint of the upper arm in the socket joint of the shoulder, giving you the ability to move your arm in all directions. The structure and function of the rotator cuff makes it susceptible to injuries, such as:

Rotator cuff tears

Rotator cuff tears affect the tendon that attaches the muscle to the bone. The tear can be partial or complete and may occur from an acute injury or degeneration. 

Rotator cuff injuries

Other injuries that affect the rotator cuff include tendonitis and bursitis, which are overuse injuries that cause inflammation and pain. 

I have shoulder pain at night. Do I have a rotator cuff tear?

Nighttime shoulder pain is a common symptom of a rotator cuff tear. The type of pain you feel may depend on the cause and severity of your injury. If you have an acute tear, you may feel severe shoulder pain right away.

If your tear is from degenerative changes, the pain may only occur when resting or moving your arm in specific directions. You may also have weakness and hear a crackling sound when you move your shoulder. 

When should I get help for rotator cuff tears and injuries?

You should schedule an appointment at Kai Sports Medicine if you have shoulder pain following an acute injury or your pain is worsening over time. 

Dr. Perlman asks detailed questions about your symptoms and when they started, and the activities that make them worse. He also reviews your daily routine so he understands how you use your shoulder.

Dr. Perlman does a physical exam and may request imaging tests to confirm or rule out a diagnosis.

What are the treatments for rotator cuff tears and injuries?

Treatment for rotator cuff tears and injuries depends on the severity of the injury and symptoms. Dr. Perlman takes an integrative approach to care, offering therapies that support your body’s natural healing process to delay or prevent the need for surgery

Treatments may include:

• Activity modification
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Physical therapy
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection
• Shockwave therapy
• Radial pressure wave therapy

If you have a rotator cuff tear and continue to have shoulder pain after conservative interventions, Dr. Perlman may suggest surgery to examine and repair the injury.

Call Kai Sports Medicine or schedule an appointment online to learn more about your treatment options for rotator cuff tears and injuries.