Fast Balls Lead To Tears
Rotator cuff tears are a known risk for baseball pitchers. The injury can happen due to overuse of the muscles and repetitive movement. This is especially true for pitchers who may throw over 100 times in a game and much more in training. Rotator cuff tears cause significant pain and limit the ability to play the sport. While some athletes can recover without surgery, rotator cuff repair has several benefits in the long term.
Non-surgical vs surgical options
Rotator cuff tears happen when a tendon or muscle in the shoulder is stretched or torn. The injury limits movement, causes inflammation, and eventually weakens the shoulder. In many cases, conservative methods such as rest, an arm sling, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and physical therapy (PT) can help. Some people can also benefit from steroid injections. Sometimes, these methods are insufficient to repair the torn tendons and restore the full range of motion (ROM) to the athlete. When conservative methods fail, doctors often recommend rotator cuff surgery to repair the damage and help the pitcher get back in the game.
What is rotator cuff repair?
Performed as a surgical outpatient procedure, rotator cuff repair helps repair the tears in the tendons and muscles in the shoulder joint. During the procedure, the doctor smooths and trims the tendon and tissue. For severe tears, the tendon is reattached with stitches. A platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection can also enhance healing and increase the chance of success. Most athletes take several weeks to recover from the procedure and resume training. After the surgery, the patient will also undergo a physical therapy (PT) rehabilitation program to help recover faster and prevent further injury. Here are 3 benefits of a rotator cuff repair.
1. Improved pain relief
Rotator cuff tears can be extremely painful and debilitating. Such injuries can also affect a player's performance on the field because of the limited ROM and functionality. While non-surgical methods may help temporarily relieve the pain, rotator cuff repair can permanently reduce pain and restore the shoulder's functionality. Once the surgeon performs the procedure, the patient's pain should subside within a few weeks with the addition of physical therapy.
2. Increased strength and stability
Rotator cuff repair does not only provide pain relief. The surgeon will also reinforce any torn ligaments, improving the strength and stability of the arm and shoulder. Once fully recovered from the surgery, the pitcher can regain throwing ability with training and conditioning. Some pitchers even throw harder and farther than before.
3. Enhanced range of motion
A rotator cuff injury severely limits the ROM, which is necessary for consistent throws. After undergoing a rotator cuff repair, the player will regain the full range of motion of the arm without the risk of injury. This will, in turn, help in-game performance without worrying about pain or fatigue.
Don't delay
A rotator cuff repair can help a pitcher in many ways. Not only does the surgery alleviate the pain for good, but the procedure can also significantly improve throwing abilities and overall athletic performance. Surgery is minimally invasive, reducing recovery time while producing fewer scars. Take advantage of these benefits and have a rotator cuff repair to get back to pitching pain-free.
