Rotator cuff injury managment series 5/5

Return to sports decisions (RTP) should be made collaboratively with the team physician, rehabilitation staff, and the athlete.

Physical exam findings should be consistent with pre-injury levels of pain, ROM, stability, strength, and overall function.

The athlete should demonstrate adequate:
Power.
Muscular endurance.
Sport-specific demands.

Return to sports  should be step-wise and the athlete should be carefully monitored to avoid a repeat injury.

Additional treatment you may go for :
Current options for biologic augmentation include:
PRP injection
Cell-based therapy. .

However, there is currently limited statical analysis  to suggest that PRP is effective in treatment of tendinopathy or tendon healing.

Cell-based approaches (“stem cells”) also appear to have great potential for improvement of tendon healing. .

Ongoing research can provides further insight into the development of novel pharmacologic agents and other approaches to improve tendon healing. .

CONCLSIONS:
Rotator cuff injuries remain a common cause of pain and dysfunction for the elite athlete and can result in time loss from participation. .

Many of these injuries can be managed conservatively in-season with anti-inflammatories, injection, and a spectrum of  rehabilitation program. .

Non-Responders to conservative management may be managed surgically, during off-season.

Newer treatments such as blood flow restriction therapy, and biologics are supported by some early data but require more level I studies.

Referance:
Management of Rotator Cuff Injuries in the Elite Athlete. Cur Rev Musc Med.Weiss et al. 2018.