Rotator Cuff Rehab - How a Rotator Cuff Rehab Program Can Prevent Surgery

Before going into rotator cuff rehab we can first look at how this complex joint works. The rotator cuff is a collective name for a group of 4 small muscles attached to the head of the arm and the shoulder bones. Due to the vast range of motion allowed to the arm, the shoulder socket is very shallow, so evolution has developed this system of 4 muscles around the shoulder joint to keep it in place while performing movements. While the rotator cuff keeps the arm safely into place, the deltoid provides the force of movement.

Given the complex structure of the rotator cuff it is no coincidence that when something goes wrong it is more difficult to fix than other joints. I had temporary problems before with my knee, but nothing prepared me for the hassle of a frozen shoulder that left me incapacitated in most daily tasks for more than 1 year.
Mundane activities such as shampooing my air or reaching for the cupboard or steering the wheel in the car became a pain. Typically the pain grew worse at night and it started with a little niggle on the side that gradually spread to the front of the shoulder.

I tried everything to no avail, hot packs, ultrasound, aspirin, ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatories and was ready to consider surgery until my frozen shoulder went into thawing phase and started following a program of specific rehabilitation exercises. After that, I started weight training again with extremely light weights at first and very high repetition range to run in the shoulder joint and gradually recover the range of motion.

I eventually recovered nearly all of my 180 degrees for the over head extensions (military presses),but not completely, though I am fully functional today. I'll never forget the crackling noise coming from my left shoulder as I put it through rehabilitation paces, but this was after my frozen shoulder subsided into the thawing phase and I did specific movements for the rotator cuff.

With the right rotator cuff rehab, even severe shoulder problems can be overcome in a short time.
Whether you experience Tendonitis, Impingement or Bursitis, you can now recover in as little as 6 weeks with the right exercises.

Sometimes medical attention is unavoidable but in most cases people can manage their shoulder without seeing a doctor, if they know what they are doing.

Today I am happy to say that this exercise technique information is available to whoever doesn't want to put up with pain for longer than it is necessary and without surgery.

Stop putting up with pain and disability. If you are looking for a rotator cuff rehab program, find out this exercise techniques for a full rotator cuff rehab.

How You Can Rehab From Rotator Cuff Surgery

Have you just started physical therapy for your rotator cuff surgery? If so, it will be good to know that you are not alone in your situation. All over the nation there are thousands of people who are starting their physical rehabilitation programs today.

Rotator cuff surgery is a pretty common operation these days and it's pretty easy to rehab from. But still, that doesn't mean that it's not painful. And it certainly doesn't mean that it's going to be a quick process either. Most people who have rotator cuff surgery are looking at least 3 months of rehabilitation.

After surgery, your doctor will probably keep you 'immobilized' for several weeks. What this means is that you are probably wearing what looks like an arm rest off of an easy chair or sofa. These can be pretty annoying at times but they are essential. Your physician placed you in it right after you were sewed up to give your muscles and tendons time to heal.

Don't worry; you won't be in it for the whole rehab time, just the first few weeks. It's really important that you don't try to lift your arm as this may rupture the sutures used to repair your muscles. The rotator cuff muscles are the primary muscles used to lift your arm away from your body. Any tension on these recently repaired tissues may ruin the surgery. If that happens, you'll probably be going back under the knife and it starts all over again.

Once you start your physical therapy you should keep one thing upper most in your mind: "Physical Therapy is not supposed to hurt." It may be uncomfortable, but it shouldn't be painful, regardless of how much of a man you are!!

Your physical therapist will begin with passive motion to your arm. This means that you allow them to move it and not help them. This will be difficult to do as most people don't like other people moving their body parts around. But it is necessary to allow your shoulder to relax. This will lessen the discomfort.

After a couple of weeks of passive motion, your therapist will start having you move your own shoulder with the help of your other hand. This is called active assisted range of motion. Remember, this is not about 'getting strong' it's about 'learning how to move' with as little pain and discomfort as possible.

After a few more weeks of this, you will be free to start actively moving your arm and shoulder on its own. No! You won't be lifting weights or throwing a Frisbee yet, but you will be moving it on its own. Once you get to this point is when the real rehabilitation starts with you trying to get as much range as possible and gradually strengthen your upper body muscles.

But, try to remember, rehabbing from a surgery is a marathon and not a sprint. Take it slow and measure your pace. You'll be fine.

Bryan Williams has been a practicing physical therapist for over 15 years. His preferred area of research and study is on the topic of Efficiency in Human Movement. He shares some of his thoughts from time to time at http://physicaltherapypage.com And, those who have low back pain may find this helpful

Preparing for Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Surgery

Preparing for Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Surgery.

Dr. Bertram Zarins has prepared this video to educate and inform patients on what they need to know before having Shoulder Arthroscopy at the Mass General Hospital Sports Medicine Service.

It is very crucial for who that will undergone this Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Surgery. I had found a great video that will tell you all the you need to know about the surgery.

Unfortunately, I cannot embed it at this blog. So, You can watch the Preparing for Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Surgery videos here.

Video of Rotator Cuff Surgeries - Live Webcast

It's not a medical drama. It's the real thing. Log on and watch John Uribe, M.D., renowned orthopedic surgeon and medical director for Doctors Hospital's Center for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, as he performs shoulder rotator cuff repair surgery during a live webcast.

Video of Rotator Cuff Surgeries - Live Webcast



The webcast will be moderated by Tampa Bay Buccaneers team physician and Doctors Hospital orthopedic surgeon John Zvijac, M.D., and simultaneously translated in Spanish by Luis Vargas-Ortiz, M.D., sports medicine educator for the Center for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine.

Tears of the rotator cuff tendons are among the most painful and debilitating injuries of the shoulder. They can occur in athletes and non-athletes, affecting people of all ages. Dr. Uribe, who is team physician for the Florida Panthers and the University of Miami athletics department, will perform the procedure as part of Baptist Health South Florida's effort to broadcast various surgeries and procedures on the web, giving viewers an insider's look at the OR.

Video of Rotator Cuff Surgeries