Determine If Rotator Cuff Surgery is Necessary
Rotator cuff surgery can be major inpatient surgery. It may not always be necessary, though. Depending on the type of injury you've sustained in your rotator cuff, it may be curable through rehabilitative therapy or non-invasive arthroscopic surgery. Follow these instructions and consult your physician to determine if rotator cuff surgery is necessary to alleviate your condition.
Instructions
1. Know the symptoms of rotator cuff injury. There are several symptoms that would indicate you have a rotator cuff injury. See a doctor if you have one or more of the following signs:
• Pain and tenderness in your shoulder. The pain will be especially noticeable when reaching overhead, reaching behind, while sleeping on the injured side or while lifting and pulling.
• Shoulder weakness
• Poor range of shoulder motion
• Desire to keep your shoulder inactive
2. Consult your physician for your initial examination. Shoulder pain may or may not have to do with a rotator cuff injury. It also may or may not require surgery. Talk to your physician first.
3. Consult another physician. If you're unsure or would just like to rest a little easier, ask your physician for the name of one of his colleagues from whom you can get a second opinion.
4. Get an MRI scan. This will give the physicians a better idea about what kind of damage has been done to your shoulder, and they'll be better able to tell you if surgery is the right course of action.
5. Try physical therapy. There is a slight chance that physical therapy, when properly performed, will make your rotator cuff condition worse. Many rotator cuff injuries, however, can be treated with physical therapy alone.
6. Get more information online. To make the most educated decision of whether rotator cuff surgery is necessary, you need to get as much information as possible. Use medical Web sites like Yahoo Health and the Mayo Clinic Web site to learn the symptoms, procedures and recovery options for rotator cuff injuries.
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