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Rotator Cuff Injury Treatment in Niles, IL

Rotator cuff injury treatment at Global Pain & Spine Clinic in Niles IL

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Our shoulders are one of the most injury-prone parts of our bodies.

Worse still, a rotator cuff injury can take quite a while to heal without proper care. Here at Global Clinic, we offer physical therapy, injectables, and pain management services to help your injury heal faster and properly. Get in touch with our Niles, Illinois office to learn more today.

Patient receiving treatment at Global Clinic Niles IL

What Is a Rotator Cuff Injury?

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their tendons that surround the shoulder joint, keeping the head of the upper arm bone firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder

A rotator cuff injury involves damage to one or more of these tendons – ranging from mild inflammation (tendinitis) to partial or complete tears. At Global Pain & Spine Clinic in Niles, IL, we specialize in non-surgical rotator cuff injury treatment that helps patients regain full shoulder function. For more information on rotator cuff injuries, visit the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Diagram showing rotator cuff anatomy and common injury locations

What Causes a Rotator Cuff Injury?

The most common cause of a rotator cuff injury is progressive damage to the tendon tissue.

Lifting heavy weights and doing a lot of overhead exercises can cause this strain. These injuries can also occur due to a car accident or a fall. The best way to avoid these kinds of injuries is by reducing the stress on your shoulders during exercise.

Services for a Rotator Cuff Injury

Physical therapy and lots of rest are essential for recovering from this type of injury.

Steroid injections may sometimes be needed to help you recover faster. In a worst-case scenario, a tendon or shoulder surgery may be needed if your injury doesn’t heal on its own over time. At Global Clinic, we provide the following services:

What Results Can I Expect?

Rest and physical therapy are often enough to heal after this kind of injury.

Coming in for a consultation is the first step in helping you address this injury adequately. We will outline a treatment protocol based on your injury’s severity and schedule.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can a rotator cuff injury heal without surgery?

Yes - the majority of rotator cuff injuries including tendinitis, impingement, and partial tears respond well to non-surgical rotator cuff injury treatment. At Global Pain & Spine Clinic, surgery is always a last resort. Most patients achieve significant improvement through physical therapy, PRP injections, and pain management within 8 to 16 weeks.

Recovery time depends on the type and severity of your injury. Mild tendinitis typically improves within 4 to 8 weeks of physical therapy. Partial tears may require 3 to 6 months of treatment. Complete tears or post-surgical recovery can take 6 to 12 months. Your clinician will give you a realistic timeline at your first visit.

Yes - PRP injections have shown strong results for rotator cuff tendinitis and partial tears. The treatment uses your body's own growth factors to reduce inflammation and promote tendon healing without surgery or medication. Most patients notice improvement within 4 to 8 weeks of their first injection.

Avoid overhead lifting, throwing, reaching behind your back, and sleeping on the affected shoulder. Swimming strokes that involve overhead arm movements should also be avoided until cleared by your therapist. Your physical therapist will give you specific activity modifications based on which tendons are affected.

Most major insurance plans cover physical therapy and pain management for rotator cuff injuries. PRP injections may have varying coverage depending on your plan. Call our Niles office at (847) 299-7000 to verify your coverage before your first appointment.