How to Heal Rotary Cuff Injuries

A rotary, or rotator, cuff injury occurs in the shoulder area. It is an inflammation or tear or strain of the muscles or tendons in the shoulder. It can be caused by simple wear and tear, which often occurs in the elderly. It can also be caused by excessive strain on the area, as is often the case with athletes and weightlifters. If you have this injury, the shoulder will feel weak and painful. There are some home remedies that you can try to heal yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Anti-inflammatory medication (ibuprofen)
• Ice
• Heating pad

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Instructions

• 1

  Understand that it is essential to cease the activity that caused the rotator cuff injury immediately, or you may not recover from it and can make the injury worse. Be sure to take it easy on exercising and weightlifting.

• 2

  Take an anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen, to help relieve the pain. If you are in severe pain, a doctor may give you a cortisone injection.

• 3

  Alternate applying ice and heat to the affected area. This will increase blood circulation. The ice will help numb the pain, and the heat will help reduce inflammation. Massaging the area in a gentle, circular motion will also increase circulation and relax the muscles.

• 4

  After the pain begins to subside, do some gentle stretching exercises to keep the area limber. Do not aggressively stretch or exercise the area if it causes pain. However, gentle stretching can prevent your shoulder from becoming stiff. You may choose to consult a physical therapist to design a stretching and exercise plan tailored to your needs.

• 5

  As a last result, if the injury does not heal on its own, you may require surgery. A doctor will take X-rays and discuss whether surgery is necessary to repair the tear. If the injury is old, more drastic partial or total shoulder replacement may be necessary.