Rotator Cuff Repair on the Upper East Side, NYC

Your rotator cuff is made up of muscles and joints that surround the shoulder joint. They provide support and stability to ensure your upper arm bone stays securely in the socket of your shoulder. An injury to the rotator cuff will result in an ache in the shoulder, which can worsen if left untreated. If you are looking for rotator cuff repair on the Upper East Side, NYC, Dines Orthopedics will be there to help you.

What Is A Rotator Cuff?

Your rotator cuff protects your shoulder joint, which allows your arms to move in most directions without pain. It is the reason you can raise your arms above your head or rotate your arms. In sports like swimming, baseball, or tennis, your rotator cuff is extremely important, and rotator cuff repair on the Upper East Side, NYC at Dines has experience treating these types of athletes.

A rotator cuff tear is partial in many cases and results from normal wear and tear from daily activities. People that are more likely to experience this injury include painters, carpenters, or certain athletes. The motion of moving the arm repeatedly in a certain way leads to a tear or damage.

Rotator Cuff Injury Causes

A common cause of rotator cuff injury is overuse. When the arm and shoulder are forced to move in one motion repeatedly, this irritates or damages the rotator cuff causing it to tear.

Tendonitis and bursitis are the medical terms for when a tendon or bursa becomes irritated due to repeating the same motion over and over again. In tendonitis, the tendon, the fibrous cords that attach muscle to bone become irritated or inflamed. The bursa, a small fluid sac that protects the rotator cuff, becomes irritated with bursitis. In these conditions, the tendon or bursa no longer can protect the rotator cuff as they should, which results in pain. Tendonitis is often seen in the pitcher’s shoulder and swimmer’s shoulder. Dines Orthopedics, specializing in rotator cuff repair on the Upper East Side, NYC, is qualified to treat these conditions. 

Injury can also result from one-time events. Some of these instances would include a fall, trying to lift something heavy, or reaching for something too tall for you. The tendon is strained when this happens, causing an injury.

Risk Factors

Factors that may increase the risk of developing a rotator cuff injury include:

• Age
• Construction jobs
• Family history
• Bone spurs
• Certain sports (swimming, tennis, baseball)

Treatment

If you feel that something is not right with your rotator cuff, the first step is always to see a doctor for a physical examination where they will check your muscle strength and range of motion. Doctors may also use MRI, X-rays, or ultrasound to see the bones and tissues in your shoulder.

Your doctor may start with a combination of treatments for a rotator cuff tear. The first may be physical therapy. Physical therapy aims to strengthen your shoulder muscles, so this treatment would only be effective in cases where the tear is minimal.

In other instances where the tear is minimal, treatment methods solely may include taking medications like acetaminophen or anti-inflammatory drugs and simply resting your shoulder. Painkillers and giving your arm and shoulder a break are sometimes all that is necessary.

If the previous treatments are ineffective or you have a complete tear, you may need surgery. Types of rotator cuff surgery will vary depending on the tear and how the tendon looks. If you are looking for rotator cuff repair on the Upper East Side, Dines will work with you to make sure you get the best care possible.

Contact Us For Rotator Cuff Repair on The Upper East Side, NYC 

Dines Orthopedic team of highly specialized surgeons will ensure you get the best orthopedic care for rotator cuff injuries. Contact us online today if you are looking for rotator cuff repair on the Upper East Side, NYC, for an injury that requires surgery.