McVay Physical Therapy is located in
Barrington, RI on 114 across from the
Treatment: Shaws Plaza. We are now handicapped
accessible via an elevator on the second
Treatment is patient specific- floor.
the shoulder is a very
complicated joint and sensitive
Treatment should minimize pain
“Smooth Sailing Towards
Treatment may include: Less Pain”
o Stabilization- exercises to
strengthen the rotator
cuff
o Posture correction-
reducing the
“impingement” by physical
Rotator Cuff
change
o Ultrasound- deep
On parle francais. tendonitis, tears
Se hable espanol.
heat/sound treatment
used to treat
Fallo portuguese. and impingement
muscles/tendons deep
Contact Us at the Following:
inside
Surgery is the last resort, but
147 County Rd. Suite 301A
sometimes necessary. It tends
Barrington, RI 02806
to be painful, but usually works
Phone: 401-643-1776
very well.
Fax: 401-694-0965 This pamphlet was designed by
Videos of specific surgeries can be
www.mcvayphysicaltherapy.com
found at: Jeremy McVay, DPT, CSCS,
www.drgartsman.com/patient_resource
We accept most insurances: Blue MPT, BS
s/videos.asp
Cross/Blue Shield, United Health,
References:
Worker’s Comp., Medicare, Tufts, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Gray’s anatomy Aetna, Cigna, Harvard Pilgrim
Anatomy: Tendonitis/ Rotator Cuff Tear:
The rotator cuff (RTC) comprises MRI:
four small muscles that control Impingement:
movements of the shoulder. These Tendonitis is an inflammation of the
include the supraspinatus (most rotator cuff tendon(s). It commonly
frequently injured), infraspinatus, happens with repetitive overuse
teres minor and subscapularis (pitching, overhead lifting), but also
(occasionally teres major is included in can occur with disuse. It commonly
the RTC). This is a view of the back causes pain down the outside of the
of a shoulder: upper arm that moves toward the
elbow (as well as shoulder pain).
Bones: A rotator cuff tear is when the
tendon or muscle is torn. It can be
torn partially or completely and this
can be extremely painful. A partial
tear is treated similar to tendonitis.
A full tear is irreversible and requires
surgery to be repaired. A person with
a full tear usually has trouble lifting
their arm above their shoulder. A
small percentage of people can manage
Impingement is when the bump on the without surgery, but with permanent
outer humerus pinches the rotator limitations. MRI is used to diagnose a
cuff against the acromion. You can full tear.
A thorough evaluation is needed to see the arrows above and how they Bicipital tendonitis:
determine the type of injury and might hit when the arm is raised
The long head of the biceps can
treatment that is appropriate. Tests overhead. This can cause “bursitis” as
become inflamed or torn (see first
(x-rays/MRIs) are a helpful part of well (see bursa on first diagram).
diagram). This usually causes pain
this. Difficulty sleeping is a common
with lifting and raising the arms to
complaint.
the front.