Shoulder Brace for Torn Rotator Cuff

Will a Shoulder Brace Help with a Torn Rotator Cuff?

Generally, a torn rotator cuff can be effectively treated by wearing a shoulder brace. The torn rotator cuff is an injury to the tendons and muscles around the shoulder joint. Symptoms may include shoulder pain, weakness, and stiffness. And the pain may be worse when you raise your arm or reach overhead. For patients with a rotator cuff tear, wearing a torn rotator cuff shoulder brace can provide additional support and stability, taking pressure off the shoulder and relieving pain. Additionally, immobilizing the shoulder joint can reduce friction and strain on the rotator cuff, prevent further injury, and promote recovery.

One thing to remember is that you must follow the advice of professionals when using a shoulder brace, and wearing a shoulder cuff brace can only serve as an auxiliary treatment. To fully recover from a torn rotator cuff, you need to cooperate with physical, drug, or even surgical treatment under the guidance of a doctor, which depends on the extent of your rotator cuff injury.

How to Put on a Shoulder Brace?

Brace for shoulder must be worn correctly because the effectiveness of it in relieving shoulder pain depends largely on whether the correct wearing method is adopted. For your reference, the following are common steps for wearing shoulder braces.

1. Before wearing, make sure all straps or Velcro are loose. 

2. Place the shoulder brace vertically on the shoulder to ensure that it can properly cover the area that needs support.

3. Tighten the straps or Velcro to ensure that the shoulder brace fits tightly to the body.

4. After wearing, adjust the position and tightness of the straps or Velcro until you feel comfortable and fully supported.

Different styles of shoulder braces may have slightly different wearing methods. To ensure that you can use the product correctly, please read the product manual carefully. If you feel discomfort, such as pain or numbness when wearing the shoulder brace, you should stop using it immediately and consult a doctor.

Can You Wear a Shoulder Brace in Bed?

You can wear a shoulder brace for sleeping. If you are facing insomnia due to shoulder pain, or if you need to immobilize your shoulder after surgery, you can wear a shoulder brace when sleeping. It can help you improve your sleep quality and prevent the injury from getting worse.

Improve Sleep Quality: It can relieve shoulder pain at night through support and stability, allowing you to sleep peacefully, thereby improving sleep quality.

Avoid Aggravating Injuries: Because people unconsciously move their shoulder joints during sleep, shoulder injuries may be aggravated. Wearing a shoulder sleep brace during sleep can limit the range of shoulder movement, and it is not easy to pull the injured part even if you fall asleep.

However, not everyone with shoulder problems needs to wear a shoulder brace while sleeping. It is recommended that you ask your doctor to evaluate whether your shoulder problem requires wearing a brace while sleeping. 

What Are the Pains That Often Occur with a Rotator Cuff Tear?

A rotator cuff tear is a common cause of shoulder pain and disability among adults. Each year, almost 2 million people in the United States visit their doctors because of rotator cuff tears. Rotator cuffs tear pain are complex structures that play a major role in shoulder movement and stability. A torn rotator cuff tear pain may weaken your shoulder. This means that many daily activities, like combing your hair or getting dressed, may become painful and difficult to do.

The pain associated with a rotator cuff injury may:

1. Shoulder pain: This can range from a dull ache to a sharp pain, especially when lifting the arm, reaching overhead, or sleeping on the affected side.
2. Night pain: Pain often worsens at night, making it difficult to sleep.
3. Weakness: Difficulty lifting or carrying objects due to muscle weakness.
4. Limited range of motion: Reduced ability to move the shoulder joint in various directions.
5. Popping or clicking: A sensation of popping or clicking in the shoulder joint.

As a result, the pain caused by rotator cuff tears is more than just physical discomfort; it can affect a patient's mental health and quality of life.

Here are four ways to relieve these pains:

• Activity modifications. For some minor rotator cuff injuries, suspension of activity or a change in activity can provide temporary relief from pain and the natural healing process needed to restore normal function. Reasonable activity can improve blood circulation, provide sufficient nutrients to the injured tissues, and accelerate healing. Through specific exercises, adhesion of the tissues around the shoulder joint can be prevented and the range of motion of the joint can be maintained. Certain movements can aggravate shoulder pain, and by adjusting activities, these movements can be avoided and pain can be alleviated.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen can reduce pain and swelling.
• Using an arm sling for shoulder. Applying a shoulder arm sling is the most common treatment for the initial stages of a rotator cuff tear, and as such its main purpose is to rest the shoulder joint and reduce pain and inflammation in the shoulder. When you have your arm “ suspended ” at your side, it puts pressure on the shoulder joint, especially on the soft and connective tissues that make up the rotator cuff. Arm sling shoulder immobilizer can reduce the inflammation response by providing support for your arm, limiting shoulder joint movement and reducing irritation to the injured tissue.
• Strengthening exercises and physical therapy. Specialized exercise restores motion and strengthens the shoulder. It improves flexibility and range of motion stretches, strengthens the muscles that support the shoulder, reduces pain and prevents further injury.

Rotator cuff tear pain can be relieved with proper rest, physical therapy, application of arm shoulder sling support, and medication. It is advisable to seek medical attention if your rotator cuff tear pain has not been relieved, as it may get delayed.