Treatment of a muscle tear in the shoulder depends on the type of injury. A muscle tear hinders the ability to move the shoulder in a normal way and causes pain when making certain movements in the shoulder. The presence of a tear in the shoulder muscles is indicated by the symptoms that appear on the person, which are an indication to go to the doctor to begin treating the muscle tear in the shoulder, especially since early diagnosis helps speed up recovery and treatment. Here you can receive advanced medical care within Al Mousa Health Hospital, the best and most advanced hospital in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

What is the treatment for a muscle tear in the shoulder?

Treatment of a muscle tear in the shoulder depends on the severity of the injury. Treatment strategies vary based on the injury, and treatment is as follows:

Medical treatment with corticosteroid injections

These injections help reduce the feeling of pain in the shoulder area and treat muscle tears. These injections are used in the event of failure of taking the pills and capsules used to treat muscle tears in the shoulder because they contain anti-inflammatory properties.

These injections are injected directly into the shoulder. The doctor recommends that the dose not exceed two to three injections per year. These injections may cause bruising and swelling at the injection site.

Surgery 

If home and medical methods for treating a muscle tear in the shoulder fail, the patient may need to undergo surgery to treat a muscle tear in the shoulder, especially if the tear is large and difficult to treat with any other methods.

The surgery is done through an arthroscope that enters the shoulder and treats the torn tendons or expands the ligaments. The patient needs a rehabilitation period after the operation, which is between 6 to 12 months, in order for a complete recovery to occur and for him to be able to move the shoulder easily.

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Weakness in the shoulder tendons can be treated by performing stretching exercises performed more than once a day or by doing plank or push-up exercises because they help strengthen the shoulder muscles.

Types of shoulder muscle tears

The shoulder muscles are connective tissue that connects the shoulder joint with the bones so that it helps stabilize the shoulder. The severity of the shoulder muscle tear varies according to the severity of the injury and is as follows:

Partial rupture

It stares at part of the ligaments that surround the arm, as these ligaments are weak and this type is easy to treat at home through complete rest or receiving some medical treatments for a short period of time.

Complete rupture

This tear occurs when the ligaments separate from the bones, and it is one of the most severe types of tear. This tear requires medical intervention and a surgical operation to help treat the ligaments that are completely torn.

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Causes of muscle tear in the shoulder 

A tear in the shoulder muscles occurs as a result of an injury to the soft tissues in the shoulder joint, which impedes the ability to move normally. This tear may be complete or a tear in the ligaments. Over time, the small tear increases to a large tear. The most prominent causes of shoulder muscle tear are the following:

• Exposure to sudden injury if you make a violent movement during household chores.
• Repetitive arm movements or injury due to sports practices.
• Doing sports that require specific and sudden movements.
• Falling on the shoulder.
• General weakness, which often affects people as they age.
• Shoulder dislocation or bone displacement occurs, causing the muscles or tendons to move.
• Bone growth in the shoulder joint, which causes bone spurs or friction with tendons and ligaments.
• Sitting for long periods in the same position.
• Doing exercises without warming up the shoulder.
• Carrying heavy objects.
• The body does not receive sufficient hydration.
• Falling on the shoulder.

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Symptoms of muscle tear in the shoulder

Before starting to treat a muscle tear in the shoulder, the presence of a tear in the shoulder muscles is indicated by the appearance of some symptoms, including:

• Severe pain in the shoulder area.
• Muscle tension.
• Inability to move the arm in all normal positions.
• Weakness in the arm when moving it and feeling pain.
• Some bruises appear on the arm.

How to prevent muscle tear in the shoulder

Prevention is better than cure, so if you want to prevent a muscle tear in the shoulder, you should follow the following instructions and advice:

• Do not sit for long periods in the same position to avoid injury.
• Maintain a correct and straight body posture while sitting or standing.
• Doing exercises that help strengthen the shoulder muscles.
• Do not lift heavy objects that exceed the body's capacity.
• Getting rid of excess weight to avoid any muscle tears.

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Non-surgical treatments for shoulder muscle tears

There are a group of home methods that can be followed to treat a muscle tear in the shoulder, which are as follows:

• Use ice compresses to reduce swelling and relieve inflammation in the shoulder.
• Use arm supports that reduce tearing and pain.
• Physical therapy that strengthens the shoulder muscles and strengthens the muscle, and is under medical supervision and follow-up with a specialist doctor.
• Complete comfort and the shoulder is not exposed to any stress or violent practices.
• Take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which help treat swelling and tearing, and are prescribed under medical supervision.
• Use some topical ointments that are placed on the site of the injury and reduce inflammation.

When should you visit a doctor?

You should consult a specialist doctor if the pain continues for more than a week after the injury or if you feel numbness and severe pain in the injury area. The doctor usually prescribes some topical creams and medications that help treat the tear.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take for a shoulder tear to heal?

The recovery period from a shoulder tear varies according to the degree of the injury. The treatment journey may take a long period of time, extending between 4 to 6 months, especially after the shoulder tear surgery. The period may be less than that if the tear is minor and is recovered from at home.

Does a muscle tear heal on its own?

Yes, there are many cases of third-degree muscle tear, which is the mildest type and can be recovered from by stopping violent sporting activity in the shoulder. As for the second and first degree tear, it requires medical intervention and may require surgery to recover from it.

How do I know if I have a shoulder tear?

The presence of a tear in the shoulder muscles is indicated by the feeling of severe pain that appears when moving the shoulder in certain positions, the inability to bend the shoulder, or the appearance of bruises and swelling in the shoulder.

How to treat a tear at home?

Treatment at home is by taking sufficient rest until symptoms gradually improve and avoiding activities that lead to pain, in addition to placing bags of ice on the affected area, and taking painkillers that are dispensed under medical supervision.

We learned about the treatment of a muscle tear in the shoulder, as there are symptoms that should not be ignored when this problem appears because they are an indication of the need to follow up with a doctor. Treating a tear at an early stage also protects against surgical operations. Within Al Mousa Health Hospital, you will find the necessary care and medical procedures at the hands of the most qualified doctors.

Sources 

Rotator Cuff Tear – clevelandclinic`

Rotator Cuff Tears – orthoinfo