Rotator cuff tears can often be treated without surgery.
Your doctor will ask you not to do activities that cause pain, and may have suggestions of movements to avoid. You may wear a sling to help protect your shoulder.
You can take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs). Physical therapy, including exercises to strengthen the muscles around your shoulder, is crucial to your recovery.
If the other treatments don’t work your doctor may give you a steroid injection, which helps some patients.
If non of the non-surgical treatments work, or you have an acute injury, you may need rotator cuff repair surgery.