Autumn Years Magazine featured a bylined article by HSS primary care sports medicine physician David A. Wang, MD, who addressed rotator cuff tears and how to treat them.

Resulting from normal wear and tear, Dr. Wang explained that a rotator cuff becomes torn over time.

If you have a rotator cuff injury, he suggests avoiding overhead activities and lifting heavy objects.

"A small rotator cuff tear can get bigger and more difficult to treat over time. For those experiencing pain, resting the shoulder and arm and modifying certain activities is recommended," he wrote.

Additionally, Dr. Wang said that the first line of treatment is physical therapy to strengthen the muscles.

"Even in patients with severe rotator cuff tears, studies have found that a large majority can do well for years with physical therapy."

Read the full article at omagdigital.com [page 22]. This article appeared in the Spring 2018 issue.