Rotator Cuff Tear
Most Wyoming residents enjoy active lifestyles, spending their time playing sports or enjoying the great outdoors. However, certain repetitive movements involving the shoulders—like swinging a tennis racket or golf club, rowing in a kayak or on a paddleboard, or lifting heavy objects—can lead to a painful rotator cuff tear.
If you find that sudden shoulder pain limits your range of movement, then you should visit the orthopedic specialists of Premier Bone & Joint Centers. We help Wyoming residents return to their favorite activities as quickly as possible by accurately diagnosing their conditions and coming up with treatment plans that help manage pain and restore mobility.
Diagnosing Your Condition
When diagnosing a rotator cuff tear, one of our orthopedic specialists will perform a physical examination to explore your current range of movement and test your muscle strength. Sometimes, your physician may also recommend an imaging scan, which can include an:
X-ray – By providing an image of the bones, X-rays help us rule out conditions like bone spurs when coming up with a diagnosis.
MRI – This imaging test uses a magnetic field to provide detailed images of soft muscles and tendons in your shoulder, helping to identify tears.
One of our board-certified and fellowship-trained physicians will use the data from these scans, along with information from your physical examination, to determine the full scope of your rotator cuff tear. We will then recommend the best possible treatment to restore functionality to your shoulder while lowering inflammation and managing your pain.
Following the Best Treatment Plan
Oftentimes, one of our orthopedic specialists will recommend the RICE approach for managing your injury: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Coupled with physical therapy, this approach should pave the way for lasting recovery. If your physician doesn’t see any improvement with non-invasive treatments, however, he may recommend surgery.
A rotator cuff tear shouldn’t keep you from your active lifestyle permanently. Schedule an appointment with one of the orthopedic specialists of Premier Bone & Joint Centers today, either at our central location in Laramie, WY, or at one of our conveniently located satellite clinics across the state.