Rotator Cuff Injuries and Rehabilitation For Seniors

At Ditmas Park, a great deal of our expertise is invested in our World-class post-acute rehabilitation program.

As we age, we become more prone to experiencing chronic tenderness and pain from short-term injuries or simple ‘wear and tear’ on our bodies.

This is a reality of particular relevance for senior citizens and indeed, many of the elderly patients who are admitted to us for short term rehabilitation, will experience pain resultant from various injuries.

A common injury with associated and lingering pain involves the rotator cuff.

Rotator Cuff Damage

What it is: The group of four muscles and tendons that connect the arm to the shoulder is called the rotator cuff. The tendons are susceptible to inflammation and bruising, leading to pain when performing overhead activities, sleeping on the affected side or reaching behind your back. Left untreated, rotator cuff injuries can cause persistent shoulder pain.

Causes: While injuries and repetitive stress are to blame for some rotator cuff damage, the pain is most often caused by normal wear and tear. In fact, at least 50 percent of 50-year-olds have some evidence of rotator cuff degeneration on MRI scans of the shoulder, according to some experts.

Treatments: For minor aches, icing the shoulder and taking an over-the-counter pain reliever might be enough to ease the pain. Until the inflammation or bruising heals, experts recommend that individuals avoiding excessive lifting, pulling and overhead activities that will exacerbate the pain or cause additional damage to the rotator cuff. If the pain persists, doctors may recommend cortisone injections and/or physical therapy.