Shoulder
Shoulder and rotator cuff
Rotator cuff tears, dislocations, frozen shoulder and arthritis. Most shoulders get better without an operation. Some need one, and we will tell you which.
Typical range
Stabilization, back to contact sport
5 to 9 months
First, the right diagnosis.
Shoulder pain can come from a fall, a throw, a lift or nothing you can name. It can keep you up at night and make it hard to reach a shelf or put on a jacket.
Many rotator cuff problems respond to a few months of focused rehab. A fresh, large tear in an active person is different, and timing matters there. We sort out which kind you have early.
What we treat
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Rotator cuff tendinitis and tears
Pain lifting the arm out to the side or overhead.
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Dislocation and instability
A shoulder that has come out, or feels like it might.
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Labral tears
Common in throwers and lifters.
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Frozen shoulder
Slowly worsening stiffness and pain.
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Shoulder arthritis
Grinding, stiffness and night pain.
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AC joint injuries
A fall onto the point of the shoulder.
Your options, side by side.
MOVE ยท INJECT
Without surgery
- Physical therapy in our building Shoulder blade control and cuff strength, step by step.
- Cortisone injection Can calm a painful flare so rehab can work.
- Sling and activity plan Short-term rest after a dislocation or strain.
- Throwing and lifting plans A return plan for pitchers, swimmers and lifters.
REPAIR
With surgery
- Rotator cuff repair Reattaching the torn tendon to the bone, through small incisions.
- Shoulder stabilization Tightening the labrum and capsule after repeat dislocations.
- Shoulder replacement For advanced arthritis that limits daily life.
- Biceps tendon procedures When the biceps tendon is a main source of pain.
When surgery comes up
Repair is often talked about for a fresh, full-thickness cuff tear in an active person, or after a second dislocation in a young athlete. Many partial tears and age-related tears do well with rehab. We explain what your imaging shows and what each choice asks of you.
Recovery, in ranges.
These are typical ranges, not promises. We narrow yours at every visit as we see how you heal.
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Rotator cuff tendinitis, rehab plan 6 to 12 weeks
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Rotator cuff repair, in a sling 4 to 6 weeks
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Rotator cuff repair, most daily activities 4 to 6 months
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Rotator cuff repair, full strength 6 to 12 months
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Stabilization, back to contact sport 5 to 9 months
Recovery after cuff repair depends a lot on tear size and tissue quality. Larger tears tend to take longer. General ranges from published guidance, shown on a stretched time scale. They are not a promise about your recovery.
Your first visit.
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01
Strength and motion testing of both shoulders.
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02
X-ray in the building to check the bones and the joint space.
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03
Ultrasound or MRI only when it changes the plan.
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04
A written plan, including what to avoid this week.
Questions.
Is a rotator cuff tear always a surgery?
No. Many tears, especially partial or age-related ones, do well with rehab. A fresh, large tear in an active person is the case where we talk about repair sooner.
How long will I be in a sling after a repair?
Usually 4 to 6 weeks. You will start gentle motion with our therapists early, on a schedule your surgeon sets.
Can you help with a shoulder that keeps dislocating?
Yes. After a second dislocation, especially in a young athlete, the risk of it happening again goes up, and stabilization surgery becomes a fair conversation.
Other care
Ready to talk about your shoulder?
Book a visit online in about three minutes, or walk in to ortho urgent care for a fresh injury.
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Booked visits
New injuries are usually seen within a few business days. Concussions within the week.
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Walk in
Boise Bench, 7 days. Meridian, Monday to Saturday. No appointment needed.
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Call
(208) 555-0163 weekdays from 7:30 a.m.