5 Nonsurgical Treatment Options for a Rotator Cuff Tear

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilizes your shoulder and allows smooth arm movement. A tear happens when one of these tendons is damaged, either suddenly (like when lifting something too heavy) or gradually due to wear-and-tear.

Our specialists at NYC Pain MD offer advanced nonsurgical solutions for painful conditions affecting joints, tendons, and muscles, including rotator cuff injuries. Many people find relief and regain strength through these nonsurgical treatments.

We’re happy to discuss the causes and symptoms of a rotator cuff tear and share information about five effective nonsurgical treatments.

Causes of rotator cuff tears

The rotator cuff is vital to the shoulder joint’s ability to function normally. As the most mobile joints in the body, the shoulders are involved in many daily activities, from reaching for a coffee cup to driving a car to swinging a golf club. This also makes it vulnerable to injury.

Common causes of rotator cuff tears include:

Acute injury

Falling on an outstretched arm or lifting a heavy object awkwardly can affect the health of your rotator cuff.

Repetitive use

Often overlooked, overhead activities (think tennis, painting ceilings, construction work) can cause tiny tears that worsen over time.

Degeneration

Tendons like those found in the rotator cuff naturally weaken as you get older, making tears more likely after age 40. This possibility increases if you’re active in sports or other repetitive activities.

Symptoms

A rotator cuff tear can range from mild to severe, creating symptoms that may include:

• Persistent, dull shoulder pain, especially at night
• Difficulty lifting or rotating your arm
• Weakness or instability in the shoulder
• A crackling or popping sound when moving the shoulder
• Limited range of motion

If you notice these symptoms, we recommend scheduling a visit for an evaluation and accurate diagnosis.

Five nonsurgical treatments for rotator cuff tears

While surgery may be necessary for large or complete tears, many people heal well without it.  Here are five proven nonsurgical treatment options we often recommend at NYC Pain MD.

Rest and activity modification

Giving the shoulder time to heal by avoiding overhead activities or heavy lifting is vital to the healing process. Reducing strain allows inflammation to decrease and helps prevent further injury.

This doesn’t mean complete immobilization, which can create problems such as a frozen shoulder. Instead, gentle, guided movements benefit the healing process and maintain shoulder function.

Physical therapy

Working with a trained therapist to strengthen shoulder muscles and improve flexibility helps stabilize the shoulder, restores function, and reduces pain.

Typical exercises include shoulder stretches, strengthening rotator cuff muscles, and posture correction exercises.

Medications

Over-the-counter pain relievers (like ibuprofen or acetaminophen) or prescription anti-inflammatories help reduce pain and swelling, making movement easier during healing.  Always consult your doctor before long-term use to reduce the risk of adverse effects.

Anti-inflammatory injections

Corticosteroid injections offer powerful anti-inflammatory medication directly into the shoulder joint. This can provide quick and significant relief from pain and inflammation, allowing you to continue rehab exercises more comfortably.

Regenerative medicine therapies

We often recommend regenerative therapies such as stem cells, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and A2M injections. These therapies help boost your body’s natural healing abilities while reducing inflammation.

Our NYC Pain MD team also offers SoftWave™ tissue regenerative treatments. This advanced therapy uses acoustic technology (ultrasound) to penetrate deeply into the affected tissue, reducing pain and inflammation while activating stem cells to enhance healing.

SoftWave treatments take 10-15 minutes, are painless, and noninvasive. Most of our patients report significant relief after just one treatment. The treatments are safe, can be repeated without adverse effects, and the results continue to build as natural regenerative processes occur.

Schedule a visit at NYC Pain MD for outstanding, nonsurgical solutions to pain and decreased mobility, including rotator cuff tears. Call one of our offices or request an appointment online. We’re located in the Elmhurst neighborhood of Queens and the Financial District neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City.