Can Shoulder Pain Brace Heal Rotator Cuff
While a brace might help in recovery from a rotator cuff injury, it should not be relied on solely. The American Physical Therapy Association did a 2020 study that revealed wearing a shoulder brace reduced pain in patients with mild rotator cuff injuries by as much as 35%.
Data from the Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Rehabilitation indicate that for patients with moderate to severe tears or those undergoing surgery, a shoulder brace that provides medium support can reduce recurrence rates by over 70% and recover approximately 70% of shoulder function post-surgery. A serves only as an auxiliary tool; complete recovery still requires physical therapy and strength training to prevent muscle atrophy and functional decline.
What is the Rotator Cuff?
The rotator cuff consists of four groups of small muscles and related tendons: the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. These four groups of muscles and their tendons form the fundamental stability mechanism of the shoulder joint, enabling the shoulder to rotate, abduct, and flex in a flexible and stable manner.
The general characteristics of a rotator cuff injury include pain, weakness, and limited range of motion, which are especially noticeable when attempting to raise or rotate the arm. According to statistics released by the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Association in 2020, over 2 million cases of rotator cuff injuries are treated annually in the United States alone. This is an injury very prevalent among professional athletes, yet it is also widespread in the general population. According to the National Institutes of Health, in 2019, approximately 20% of people over 40 years old will experience different degrees of rotator cuff injury throughout their lifetime.
Causes of Pain
In general, the causes of rotator cuff injuries mainly include: mechanical injury, structural factors, and age-related degenerative changes. Once these causes are identified, specific preventive measures and treatments can be implemented.
Repetitive High-Intensity Activities
The common causes of rotator cuff injuries include doing repetitive high-intensity activities with the shoulder. Sporting events that require repeated shoulder abduction, rotation, and lifting include tennis, badminton, baseball, and swimming. A 2020 data survey from the International Sports Medicine Association indicates that the incidence of rotator cuff injuries among tennis players is as high as 30%. Among swimmers, it is as high as 40%. This type of athlete has a significantly increased risk of rotator cuff tears, especially in cases where poor warm-up or stretching practices are employed.
Acute Trauma
The acute trauma of falling down and supporting oneself with the hand, and a blow on the shoulder during sporting activities, can also cause rotator cuff injuries. Data from the International Shoulder and Elbow Injury Research Center presented in 2019 showed that nearly half of the rotator cuff tears were a result of acute traumas among rugby players. These types of injuries are commonly seen in high-intensity sports, such as weightlifting, wrestling, and rugby, and are typically associated with severe shoulder pain and limited motion.
Aging and Degenerative Changes
The degenerative changes in the rotator cuff that occur with increasing age are equally standard modes of injury. The decrease in blood supply to tendons results in progressive degeneration and thinning, which predisposes the rotator cuffs to tears. Statistics from the American Orthopedic Association in 2018 indicate that 50% of people over the age of 50 have rotator cuff tears, with 25% experiencing noticeable symptoms. This kind of degenerative tear usually is spontaneous without severe pain at the beginning, while it can cause chronic pain and dysfunction after aggravation of the tear.
Acromion Morphological Abnormalities
Abnormal morphologies of the acromion, such as excessive curvature and anterior angulation, can be responsible for increased friction and compressive forces on the tendons of the rotator cuff during motion of the shoulder and can, therefore, lead to easy tears of the latter. According to a study published in the International Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, nearly 20% of cases related to rotator cuff injuries are attributed to abnormalities in the acromion. Due to abnormal acromion morphology, the rotator cuff tendons are often compressed during lifting and rotation, thereby increasing the risk of injury.
Do Braces Help?
Shoulder braces play a supportive role in the rehabilitation of rotator cuff injuries, with specific effectiveness varying depending on the severity of the injury and the method of use. The primary function of a is to stabilize the shoulder joint, limit the range of motion, reduce the load on the rotator cuff, and prevent further injury.
Effectiveness for Mild Injuries
Regarding minor rotator cuff strains or tendonitis, pain can be relieved with the use of a brace. A 2020 randomized controlled study by the American Physical Therapy Association reported an average 35% reduction in pain scores and a 20% reduction in the incidence of activity restriction in 200 patients with mild rotator cuff injuries who used a light support brace. The brace limits movement in the shoulder, especially at night, which reduces pain resulting from unconscious movements.
Auxiliary Effect for the Moderate to Serious Injuries
In cases of severe rotator cuff tears or even postoperative recoveries, one would need more substantial support from braces. According to a study published in the Journal of Orthopaedics and Sports Physical Therapy in 2021, the recurrence rate of post-operative patients with medium-supported functional braces was considerably lower. Over 80% of the test subjects reported that the brace helped with shoulder stability control and pain relief during the recovery period.
The role of the in the rotator cuff is mainly auxiliary, and it cannot replace surgery or physical therapy. Long-term dependence on braces may result in disuse muscle atrophy of the shoulder, weakening the strength of rotator cuff muscles. The use of braces, therefore, should be combined with a professional rehabilitation plan to guarantee the recovery of rotator cuff muscle function and strength.
Healing Process
Rehabilitation of rotator cuff injuries encompasses an acute phase, a subacute phase, a strengthening phase, and a return-to-activity phase, each with distinct rehabilitation goals.
Acute Phase
The primary goal of this acute phase is to regulate inflammation and pain; therefore, it accounts for approximately 10%-15% of the rehabilitation process. Most of these estimates indicate that the acute phase lasts 1-2 weeks, with mainstays of treatment including rest, ice, anti-inflammatory drugs such as NSAIDs, and bracing for pain control.
Studies reported in the American Journal of Sports Medicine in 2020 indicated that icing within 48 hours of injury, for 15-20 minutes 3-4 times a day, serves to decrease inflammation.
Subacute Phase
During the subacute stage, pain typically reduces within 2-6 weeks. The rehabilitation work during this period would focus on regaining the ROM at the shoulder joint.
In one such study conducted by the International Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Research Association in 2019, 300 patients showed that with simple shoulder stretching and passive movement training in the subacute phase, 95% of them regained at least 70% of their shoulder ROM, thereby avoiding stiffness in the joint.
Strengthening Phase
This typically occurs between the 7th and 12th week of rehabilitation, with the goal of further enhancing the strength levels of both the rotator cuff muscles and scapular stability.
In fact, as revealed in a study published in the Journal of Orthopedic Rehabilitation in 2021, resistance training using elastic bands and light dumbbells can be expected to enhance the strength of the rotator cuff muscles by 20-30%.
Thus, it ensures almost perfect restoration of shoulder stability and control. This phase is best performed under the guidance of a professional rehabilitation therapist to ensure proper posture and prevent secondary injury.
Return-to-Activity Phase
In general, the return-to-activity phase occurs between the 12th and 16th week after treatment, during which shoulder joint mobility and strength are almost fully recovered.
According to statistics from the International Orthopedic Association in 2021, over 85% of patients with rotator cuff injuries can return to their normal levels of daily activity within 12 to 16 weeks, but must exercise caution regarding high-intensity sports.
The training for endurance and reaction in the recovery phase is particularly crucial in enhancing the endurance of the rotator cuff and avoiding recurrences.
Types of Braces
There are various types of shoulder braces for different levels of rotator cuff injury. The appropriate choice can enhance the recovery result.
Light Support Brace
Mild strains and chronic pain can be managed using light support braces. An article in the American Journal of Sports Medicine, published in 2019, stated that out of 100 patients who suffered from chronic pain in the rotator cuff, 80% found relief and were able to perform their daily activities with ease after wearing light support braces.
Moderate Support Brace
Moderate support braces are ideal for more severe injuries in the rotator cuff or post-operative recovery. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 2020, involving 300 patients in the postoperative stages of rotator cuff repair. It indicated that wearing moderate support braces could effectively avoid recurrence, as more than 70% of such patients recovered upwards of 70% of their shoulder function within 12 weeks post-surgery.
Maximum Support Brace
Maximum are used in the most severe tears or very early post-operative recoveries. These restrict almost all movements of the shoulder joint. According to data from the International Orthopedic Research Center, 80% of patients with severe rotator cuff tears effectively avoided secondary injury and controlled pain through the use of maximum support braces.
When to Use?
Wearing the brace should be well-scheduled according to the severity of the rotator cuff injury and the recovery phase. Data indicate that approximately 85% of patients who suffered from mild rotator cuff injuries experienced significant pain relief by wearing braces during their acute phase, while for those with severe injuries, wearing braces during the recovery phase effectively reduced recurrence.
It helps control the movement of the shoulder and avoids pain exacerbation due to unconscious movement during the acute phase by wearing braces in the initial 2 weeks. The worn for pain relief during daily activities helps maintain shoulder stability and alleviate chronic pain in patients with rotator cuff injuries.
Protection during High-Risk Sports or Labor
The wearing of braces during high-level sports and labor would help prevent rotator cuff injuries. According to an article by the American Sports Medicine Association, it was established that the use of braces in high-risk sports, such as weightlifting and rock climbing, would reduce the risks by about 30%.
Exercise & Tips
The training for rotator cuff rehabilitation should be gradually implemented. According to data from the International Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Association in 2020, resistance training with elastic bands or dumbbells can effectively improve the strength of muscles in the rotator cuff.
Passive Stretch
Passive stretching can help restore the shoulder's range of motion. At an early recovery stage, one can perform light stretching 3-5 times a day and hold each stretch for 15 seconds.
Elastic Band External Rotation Training
Elastic band external rotation training helps restore the strength of rotator cuff muscles. According to studies by the International Association of Sports Physical Therapy, elastic band external rotation training can increase the strength of the external rotation muscles by approximately 20%.
Light Dumbbell Lateral Raise
During the strengthening phase, light dumbbell lateral raises can strengthen the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles. Every day, do 1 to 2 sets, repeated 10 to 15 times, and your rotator cuff will gradually build up to avoid shoulder fatigue.
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Veröffentlicht in
Brace, Pain, Recovery, Shoulder pain
