4. Non-surgical options
It’s important to note that while many patients opt for surgery, it’s not hard to treat rotator cuff tears through other means. For instance, taking anti-inflammatory medication is one way that doctors treat rotator cuff tears without resorting to surgery. Long-term and regular use of these pharmaceuticals could reduce inflammation and gradually restore the condition of your rotator cuff. Another non-surgical option is physical therapy.
Many people think of physical therapy as a recovery option after surgery, but it can also serve as a good alternative — especially if the injury isn’t too severe. Even if it fails, it will at least keep the surrounding muscle groups strong so that the rehabilitation process will be faster for the patient. The goals of most people who attend physical therapy are both the restoration of strength to any injured areas as well as temporary relief from the pain associated with a rotator cuff tear. While most tears won’t heal themselves, you can likely get a good function back through physical therapy alone.