If you’ve played sports or been in a car accident, you probably know that shoulder tears can happen instantaneously. The two most common areas to tear in your shoulder are your rotator cuff and labrum. Tearing either one is very painful and results in a loss of movement. Because the two are so close, it is often asked which one is the worst injury to have. Learn which injury is the worst below at Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of Long Island. Contact us for Physical Therapy in Bay Shore today!
Rotator Cuff Tear
Your rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that are responsible for many things like:
- Raising your arm
- Lowering your arm
- Holding your arm in your shoulder socket
A rotator cuff tear is when the tendons fray, partially tear, or detach completely. It’s usually caused by a repetitive movement like painting or playing baseball. Most of the time, a rotator cuff tear requires surgical intervention. However, you can use alternative methods to ease your symptoms. A few things you can do to lower your pain are:
- Rest
- Over-the-counter pain relief
- Physical therapy
Labrum Tear
Your shoulder labrum is a ring of cartilage around the shoulder joint that holds it in place and provides stability. A shoulder labrum tear is a damage done to the cartilage. It can happen in a few different ways, like direct trauma, overuse, or instability. Treatment options for a tear in your shoulder labrum are:
- Rest
- Physical Therapy
- Surgery
Which One is Worse?
Neither injury is easy to deal with, and both are painful. A tear in your shoulder labrum is easier to deal with because it can get better without surgical intervention. A rotator cuff tear almost always requires surgery to make a full recovery.
Contact Us For Physical Therapy in Bay Shore
Visit us at Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of Long Island to receive physical therapy in Bay Shore for your injuries. Our trained specialists are experienced in treating many injuries and can help you recover your movement. Take back your movement and say goodbye to your pain today!