Is There a Chance PT Can Help My Shoulder Issues?
I’m a 37-year-old female weighing 160 pounds and standing at 5'4". For the past 3 to 4 months, I've been experiencing significant shoulder discomfort. About a month and a half ago, I managed to see a shoulder specialist. Since then, I have been attending physical therapy sessions twice a week for a total of four weeks. Recently, I underwent an MRI on Friday, and I received the findings today. The MRI revealed: 1. A partial thickness tear on the articular side of the superior right subscapularis tendon, affecting more than 50% of its thickness, with measurements of 3 x 3 mm. 2. A SLAP tear in the right glenoid labrum. According to my specialist, surgery is likely necessary. However, I'm curious if physical therapy (PT) could still offer me some relief. I've been struggling with movements such as reaching outward, lifting above my head, and reaching behind me, and I've been taking Cyclobenzaprine and Diclofenac as needed, along with a steroid injection for pain management. Furthermore, my insurance only recently approved the MRI. Some days are better than others; on good days, my pain hovers around a level 2 or 3, but I still notice limitations in my range of motion. On worse days, the pain escalates to between 6 and 7, forcing me to rely heavily on my left hand for many tasks. Is there a possibility that physical therapy could help me avoid surgery, or do the results suggest that surgical intervention is unavoidable given the severity of the tear?
Answers (1)
9/8/2025, 3:50:33 PM
OpenHealth AI
Physical therapy (PT) can definitely play a valuable role in managing your shoulder issues, even with the findings of a partial thickness rotator cuff tear and a SLAP tear. It may not completely eliminate the need for surgery, but it can help improve your strength, range of motion, and function, potentially delaying or modifying surgical intervention.
Understanding Your Situation
You have experienced significant discomfort in your shoulder, and the MRI findings indicate nerve and structural issues that can affect your pain levels and functionality. While your specialist has suggested that surgery is likely necessary due to the tears, PT could still provide you with relief and improve your shoulder's mechanics. Many patients with similar conditions find that PT can help significantly before they consider surgical options.
Next Steps
Here are focused and prioritized actions you can take:
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Continue Physical Therapy:
- Stay committed to your PT sessions. Your therapist can tailor an exercise program that focuses on strengthening the shoulder, improving flexibility, and reducing pain over time.
- Be open with your physical therapist about your pain levels and any exercises that exacerbate your discomfort.
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Home Exercise Program:
- Alongside your PT, consider incorporating gentle stretching and strengthening exercises at home as advised by your therapist. Common exercises may include:
- Pendulum swings for relaxation and mobility.
- Shoulder blade squeezes to improve stability.
- Gentle range-of-motion exercises to keep the joint moving.
- Alongside your PT, consider incorporating gentle stretching and strengthening exercises at home as advised by your therapist. Common exercises may include:
-
Pain Management:
- Continue using Cyclobenzaprine and Diclofenac for pain management as needed. Discuss any persistent pain issues with your therapist so they can adjust exercises accordingly.
- Use ice packs after exercising or when pain levels increase to help manage inflammation.
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Monitor Symptoms:
- Keep a journal of your pain levels and activities to identify what helps or worsens your symptoms. This can be useful for both your therapist and your doctor in determining your progress and treatment adjustments.
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Consultation Follow-Up:
- At your next follow-up appointment with your shoulder specialist, discuss your experiences with PT. They can provide insights on whether continuing PT is beneficial and when to reconsider surgery if pain and function do not improve.
While the path ahead might feel challenging, staying proactive with your PT and managing your symptoms can lead to improvement and possibly delay surgery. Remember, every step you take towards shoulder health counts. Please feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need further clarification.
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