Rehab for Tendonosis of Rotator Cuff

Given that 90 + percent of shoulder pain is due to rotator cuff tendinitis, it is worthwhile to consider those therapies that focus on rotator cuff tendinitis in order to combat shoulder pain itself. This idea has become even more justified following the results of a recent study presented at The American College of Sports Medicine. This study saw impressive results when patients used a nighttime brace to treat rotator cuff injuries and tendinitis.

The study at The American College of Sports Medicine took patients who were suffering from shoulder pain from rotator cuff injuries and tendinitis and treated them all with traditional care methods that included hands on inflammatory medications and physical therapy. However, half of the patients then received an additional treatment of a nighttime brace that they wore for one month. The study was blinded. The results of the study were remarkable, as those who used the brace saw a 100% improvement in their shoulder situation when compared to patients who did not use the shoulder brace.

During the study, it was found that the patients did not need to wear the brace for more than three weeks before results were realized. Compared to those who used the brace, only 50% of those members of the study who were not given the nighttime brace became better over a similar one month period. This small but powerful study did reach statistical significance. The results of this study lend many to believe that this brace represents a new and exciting therapy to deal with this incredibly common problem of rotator cuff tendinitis.

Michael Carroll, MD is a board certified family physician with a special interest in sports medicine. He is the founding partner of Creekside Clinic, LLC, a progressive primary care center in Traverse City, Michigan and a member of both the American College of Sports Medicine, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

He also holds special interest in shoulder pain and rotator cuff injuries specifically with regard to cutting-edge treatments and is the author of a Shoulder Pain Talk