Torn Rotator Cuff Symptoms & Injury Treatment

 

What is a torn rotator cuff?

A rotator cuff tear is a term used to describe tears to any one of the four rotator cuff tendons in your shoulder muscles. Symptoms of a torn rotator cuff include:

• Loss of range of motion in the shoulder

• Tenderness and pain in the shoulder, especially when reaching overhead

• Shoulder weakness

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What causes a torn rotator cuff?

Tears in the rotator cuff are fairly common. Frequently, a torn rotator cuff can be caused when the arm is used to break an impact, like in an auto accident.

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How is a torn rotator cuff diagnosed?

Your doctor can often diagnose a torn rotator cuff through a physical examination. However, if you are in too much pain or the physical examination is inconclusive, your doctor may have you undergo an MRI or other radiological testing.

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How do you treat a torn rotator cuff?

Treatment for a rotator cuff injury primarily involves physical therapy. Your physical therapist will provide you with exercises to improve muscle strength and flexibility. In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe pain management medication. In some more severe cases, you may require surgery.

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What is the recovery time for a torn rotator cuff?

If surgery is necessary, recovery time lasts a minimum of six weeks. With a nonsurgical option like physical therapy, recovery time may vary depending on the severity of your injury, your age, and other additional factors.

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If you’ve been in a car accident in New Jersey and need treatment for a torn rotator cuff, please call us at 866-609-4448 or fill out our quick contact form for a consultation.

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Why would I need physical rehabilitation?

Physical therapy will assist you as you recover from any accident injury that may impact how your body normally functions. When your muscles and bones undergo extreme trauma, they often need to be trained before they will function normally again. Without physical rehabilitation, you may experience permanent muscle weakness or reduced function in the injured body part.

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Separated Shoulder Symptoms & Treatment

 

What is a separated shoulder?

A separated shoulder occurs when the ligaments connecting the collarbone to the shoulder blade are torn. Symptoms of a separated shoulder include:

• Pain in the shoulder

• Limited movement of the area

• Bruising, swelling, and tenderness

• Visible deformity of the area

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What causes a separated shoulder?

A hard, direct blow like those commonly sustained in car accidents can cause a separated shoulder. This can often stretch or tear the ligaments, resulting in separation of the collarbone and shoulder blade.

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How is a separated shoulder diagnosed?

Your doctor will first ask you questions about your accident and physically examine your shoulder. A separated shoulder can often be diagnosed with only a physical exam. However, your physician may send you for a shoulder x-ray or an on-site MRI to rule out more serious injuries.

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How do you treat a separated shoulder?

A separated shoulder can often be treated with a combination of rest and immobilization, ice, pain management, and physical therapy exercises. In very severe cases of separation, surgery may be necessary.

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What is the recovery time for a separated shoulder?

Full recovery for a separated shoulder can occur within six weeks, although stiffness may occur after that time period. You also may be left with a permanent but painless bump on your shoulder.

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If you’ve been in a car accident in New Jersey and need treatment for a separated shoulder, please call us at 866-609-4448 or fill out our quick contact form for a consultation.

 

Dislocated Shoulder Symptoms and Treatment

 

What is a dislocated shoulder?

A dislocated shoulder occurs when the shoulder joint comes partially or completely separated from the socket it sits in. A shoulder can dislocate backward, forward, or downward. Symptoms of a dislocated shoulder include:

• Pain in the shoulder and occasionally down the arm

• Inability to move the affected shoulder

• Bruising, swelling, and tenderness

• Visible deformity of the area

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What causes a dislocated shoulder?

A hard, direct blow like those commonly sustained in car accidents can cause a dislocated shoulder. Since the shoulder is one of the most mobile joints of the body, it is also one of the most frequently dislocated.

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How is a dislocated shoulder diagnosed?

Your doctor will first ask you questions about your accident and physically examine your shoulder. He may then send you for a shoulder x-ray or an on-site MRI to confirm the diagnosis.

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How do you treat a dislocated shoulder?

Your doctor may employ a method called closed reduction to attempt to maneuver your shoulder joint back into the socket. If you are experiencing a large amount of pain and swelling, you may be given pain management medication or (in very severe cases) general anesthesia for comfort. Once your shoulder is back in place, pain will begin to improve immediately. For those with weak shoulders or frequent shoulder dislocations, surgery may be necessary.

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What is the recovery time for a dislocated shoulder?

Depending on the severity of your dislocation, your doctor may immobilize the area with a sling for a few weeks. You will also undergo shoulder physical therapy to prevent re-injury to the area. Full recovery can take anywhere from three to 12 weeks.

 

If you’ve been in a car accident in New Jersey and need treatment for a dislocated shoulder, please call us at 866-609-4448 or fill out our quick contact form for a consultation.

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Frozen Shoulder

 

What is frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder may occur after you are injured in a traumatic auto accident, especially if you are a female between the ages of 40 and 60. You may also develop this condition after shoulder surgery. Symptoms include dull or aching pain in the outer shoulder and upper arm, especially with movement, that worsens over time.

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Your shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint. Frozen shoulder occurs when the capsule that contains the joint becomes tight and thickens, sometimes due to a lack of necessary fluids or development of stiff tissue bands.

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What are the stages of frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder consists of three different stages:

• Freezing: The freezing stage is the most painful of the three stages of frozen shoulder. You will also experience restricted movement. This stage generally lasts anywhere between 6 and 12 weeks.

• Frozen: Although pain usually subsides during this stage, stiffness may actually worsen. This stage may last from 4 to 6 months, and you may struggle to perform some of your daily activities.

• Thawing: Your shoulder’s normal range of motion begins to return during the thawing stage, which may last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years.

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What are the treatment options for frozen shoulder?

Treatment for frozen shoulder includes:

• Pain management and anti-inflammatory medications

• Cortisone injections

• Physical therapy

• Application of heat

• A patient may need to undergo surgery if nonsurgical methods don’t provide results, although this is very rare.

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What can I expect from frozen shoulder physical therapy?

Frozen shoulder physical therapy is generally made up of stretching and range of motion exercises, performed either at home or in an office under the supervision of a physician. You may be instructed to apply heat to the area before beginning your exercises to help loosen your muscles.

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What is the recovery time for a frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder recovery is often a long process. Affected patients may not regain full strength and range of motion for years after developing the condition.