Rotator cuff injuries are nearly as common as the common cold, yet for a large number surgery is often recommended. However, more and more data shows that surgery may not be the best option anymore. Taking the time to properly rehabilitate the shoulder can achieve equal results as surgery. Plus you get to avoid a knife in the shoulder and risk of infection.
Did you know that over 50% of people over the age of 40 have tears in 1 or more of the rotator cuff muscles YET DO NOT HAVE ANY PAIN? You are probably asking how is that possible? Well…clearly the human body is adept at “healing” itself. So small tears in the muscle tissue must be common enough and not as detrimental to function as once believed.
But my doctor says nothing will fix my shoulder and if I don’t have surgery, it will never be the same again. Yes, that is one potential outcome. But so is saying no to the knife and rehabbing the shoulder. The question is what do you have to lose by focusing intensely on rehab 1st before resigning yourself to a surgery and then 4-6 months of rehab? In most instances the answer is NOTHING.
And should the rehab not successfully get you back to doing what you want then surgery remains an option. However, wouldn’t it be nice to get to the end more quickly? After all, who really wants to have a surgery if the possibility of recovery without is there?
What if I told you that with 6-8 weeks of a proper rehab program that you might have full use of your arm again? Would you sign up for that? I would guess a good many would choose that option. The question remains is what are you willing and ready to do? This process is more likely to be successful if one believes that it will work. If you put in a half-hearted attempt at rehab, it will surely fail. If you are ready to do the work, you have good odds of success. And for me if the odds are in my favor to avoid a surgery, I will take that option every day of the week. Because surgery is not needed for every rotator cuff injury.
At this point you may be asking yourself, how can I get started to avoid surgery? If so, click this LINK to request your personalized consultation so that you can begin your journey back to living without shoulder pain.