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Relief for Rotator Cuff Tears
– Reported, May 08, 2013
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — While athletes suffer from traumatic forms of the injury, for many others age is to blame for torn rotator cuffs. Its believed millions of Americans over 60 suffer from one. Every year 250 thousand people go under the knife for relief, but now theres a surgery-free alternative you can do for free!
Just taking plates out of the cupboard was excruciating for Kay Subhawong.
She has a torn rotator cuff. The small muscles that hold the shoulder joint together have ripped apart.
That type of rotator cuff tear occurs with aging just like getting wrinkles or gray hair, John E. Kuhn, MD, Chief of Shoulder Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told Ivanhoe.
Kay thought her only option was an operation.
I was really scared. I am not a fan of surgery, Kay said.
It usually takes people about four months before they can even think to get back to any kind of labor type work and it usually takes a year to get a full recovery, Dr. Kuhn explained.
However, Vanderbilts Dr. John Kuhn convinced Kay to skip surgery and do exercises instead.
Dr. Kuhn is director of the Moon Shoulder Group, a network of doctors researching the best options for bad shoulders.
We found the exercises programs that were found to be effective at treating rotator cuff disease and consolidated them into one physical therapy program, John E. Kuhn, MD, Chief of Shoulder Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told Ivanhoe.
The program focuses on range of motion, flexibility, and strengthening.
We do not expect the therapy program to make someones tendon heal, but it does take their pain away, Dr. Kuhn explained.
Kay says that she was still miserable after six weeks of exercises, but after twelve weeks her arm didnt really hurt.
A new study of 452 rotator cuff tear patients found the exercise program helped 85 percent avoid surgery.
The effects last for two, up to five years so far, Dr. Kuhn said.
Kay finished the program about five years ago.
I really have not had trouble since, Kay explained.
Her shoulder misery is just a bad memory. Now, shes focusing on making good ones.
I just pulled my suitcase all over Europe a few weeks ago, Kay said.
Dr. Kuhn says the exercise program has changed the way he practices. He tells us hes using therapy instead of surgery a lot more than he used to. The entire shoulder program is available for free online. The doctor says you should talk with your physician before starting it.