Rotator Cuff Tear (How to Strengthen Supraspinatus)

Today's video covers four of the best home rehab exercises that can be done for a rotator cuff tear or tendinitis. The four rotator cuff muscles act to stabilize and rotate the shoulder joint and can be susceptible to tendinopathy and tears. Of the four muscles, supraspinatus is most commonly injured and will most typically produce pain at the superolateral shoulder that can refer down the lateral arm.

In a relatively new study (citation at bottom) an MRI was performed on both shoulders in people with unilateral (one-sided) shoulder pain. The MRI results in this study showed that issues like tendinopathy and partial rotator cuff tears occurred in almost equal numbers when comparing the painful side to the non-painful one. This study matches up with others on the topic, which show that ‘dysfunctional’ findings are often seen in body regions where no pain is present.

Studies like this remind us that clinical decision making must not revolve around imaging alone. If more sinister conditions are not a concern and the clinical exam does not warrant further testing, then it may be best to wait on pursuing imaging studies and proceed with rehabilitation.

If you have been diagnosed with rotator cuff tendinopathy or a tear, it is recommended that you start with conservative management (physical therapy) and see how your symptoms respond. Many people are able to avoid surgery with these simple strengthening exercises.

1. Sidelying External Rotation
2. Full Can
3. 90/90 External Rotation
4. Prone Y

Reference: Barreto RPG, et al. Bilateral magnetic resonance imaging findings in individuals with unilateral shoulder pain. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2019.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31279...

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