Is there any hope of recovery from a rotater cup tear?

Question

I mean is there any way (physical therapy, surgery) for me to recover full use of the injured arm so that I can actively play sports that use that arm (tennis, table tennis, etc.)? Thank You!

Answer 1

It really depends on the size of the tear...moderate to massive tears will most likely not heal without surgery, especially if you wish to resume overhead sports. Small tears very well may heal, but it could take a full year to reach that recovery...and even then it might not actually HEAL, but your shoulder can compensate with other stabilizers by going through PT.

Many ELDERLY folks eventually get full thickness tears as part of the degenerative process, but compensate with other muscles and still maintain some overhead function...but overhead sports would be out of the question in most cases.

Good luck.

Answer 2

My mom had a messed up rotator. She had to have surgery to repair it. Even after the surgery, she still could not lift her arm but so high. She had to go back under the anesthesia and have her arm physically manipulated. When she came out, she was better and had more range of motion. She was elderly when that happened.
I have also sprained my arm doing stunts as a teen. It has never recvoered fully and I still can't do arm circles like I used to to this day. But I haven't had special treatment for it either, just a sling back then and went back into exercising.
Your recovery may depend on how long ago it happened and how bad off it is. And different people have different rates and different levels of recovery.
Ask an orthopedic surgeon or physical therapist what's your prognosis.

Answer 3

First of all, see a doctor about this injury. Some physical therapy might be in order, but your doctor has to order this. If you're given a set of exercises to do, make sure to do them as directed, no matter how boring they might seem to you. Rotator cuff injuries take a bit of time to heal.