Supraspinatus Tear

diagram of supraspinatus tendor tear in shoulder

 

A supraspinatus tear is a tear or rupture of the tendon of the supraspinatus muscle.

The supraspinatus is part of the rotator cuff of the shoulder. Most of the time this tear is accompanied by another rotator cuff muscle tear. This can occur due to trauma or repeated micro-trauma and present as a partial or full-thickness tear. 

 

Supraspinatus tear causes

A supraspinatus tendon tear is a common throwing injury. When you throw something, for example, a Javelin, you use the powerful chest muscles to propel it forwards. After you have released the Javelin your arm must decelerate. As a result, huge forces go through the supraspinatus and other rotator cuff muscles.

But few people bother to train these muscles. As a result, a muscle imbalance leaves the supraspinatus weak in comparison to the powerful ‘throwing muscles’.

A heavy fall onto the shoulder can also result in injuring this muscle. Injury can occur to the tendon as it inserts into the top of the shoulder on the humerus.

 

Symptoms of a supraspinatus tear include:

  • pain when lifting and lowering your arm
  • pain when you lie on the injured shoulder
  • stiffness in the shoulder
  • limited range of movement

Usually, a tear due to an injury will produce immediate intense pain and weakness in the arm. In cases of a degenerated tear, pain is mild at first and increases gradually over time.

 

 


If your shoulder pain is caused by a work-related injury, Eastside Medical Group is an Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation certified provider.


 

Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Shoulders at Eastside Medical Group

 

Joint Injections

When joint pain does not resolve in a reasonable amount of time with OTC medication and/or physical therapy, an injection of medication directly into the joint is a frequently performed procedure.

 

What is in a joint injection?

diagram of a shoulder joint injection

In addition to treating joint pain, the injections are used as a diagnostic tool. The local anesthetic has a numbing effect on the joint, and the amount of immediate pain relief experienced will help confirm or rule out the joint as a source of pain.

 

How are shoulder joint injections administered?

A joint injection is used to treat inflammatory joint conditions such as arthritis, gout, bursitis, tendonitis, and osteoarthritis.

The injection is performed by using ultrasound to guide exactly where the needle needs to go into the affected joint and distributing an anti-inflammatory agent. The most common of these is a corticosteroid (cortisone shots). 

 

What can be expected after a shoulder joint injection?

After the injection, you may experience immediate but temporary pain relief from the local anesthetic.

Because steroids need a few days to deliver noticeable benefits, there is a chance of the pain returning or even worsening. If the pain worsens, it usually subsides within a day or two.

Generally, it’s recommended that you take it easy the day of the procedure, but return to your usual activities the following day. You can ice down the injection site and take an over the counter NSAID, like ibuprofen, for pain relief.

Although joint injections do not change the underlying condition, they can break the cycle of pain and inflammation and allow time for exercise or physical therapy to strengthen muscles and get the joints moving again in order to decrease ongoing problems.

 


Eastside Medical Group also uses hyaluronic acid joint injections for shoulder pain in some instances. Please ask our knowledgeable staff as to what treatment option would be best for your specific case.


 

Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections/PRFM

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been used since the 1970s in medicine for multiple purposes. The last decade has seen a tremendous focus on PRP applications in musculoskeletal medicine. The potential for PRP to promote tissue healing following injury or disease is attractive to many physicians, researchers, and patients alike.

  • Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections administer concentrated platelets from the patient’s own blood into damaged cartilage and tendons to reduce pain and to aid in the healing process.
  • PRP rebuilds these tissues and can be used for common tendon injuries, such as tennis elbow, and to repair cartilage due to osteoarthritis or other damage.
  • PRP injections consist of extracting a blood sample, concentrating the platelets, and injecting them into injured areas of the body.
  • PRP injections are sometimes performed in a series, but many patients only require one injection to see results.

 

Dr. Lauchlin McKeigan, Chiropractic Physician, has seen firsthand the positive healing effects of PRP treatment in his shoulder tear. 

 

MRI report before PRP treatment
MRI report before PRP treatment (click to enlarge)

 

MRI report after PRP treatment
MRI report after PRP treatment (click to enlarge)

 


 

We combine all of our shoulder therapy treatment plans with a combination of comprehensive therapeutic exercises, chiropractic care, and medical massage to achieve maximum results with our program!

To learn more about our Comprehensive Shoulder Treatment Options, contact our team at Eastside Medical Group in Cleveland, Ohio.

 

Shoulder Therapy Consult
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