What to expect from physiotherapy for a rotator cuff tear

Your physiotherapist may check shoulder movement, strength, posture and how the arm works during reaching or lifting. Early care can focus on comfortable range-of-motion work and reducing movements that repeatedly irritate the shoulder. As control improves, exercises may target the rotator cuff and shoulder-blade muscles. A tear can vary in size and effect, so the plan is adjusted to your examination, symptoms and any imaging or orthopaedic advice.

Practise the agreed home exercises with the recommended technique and frequency, while avoiding sudden heavy lifting until your clinician advises otherwise. Keep the shoulder gently active within a tolerable range rather than protecting it completely. Tell the therapist if pain lingers after exercise, strength suddenly drops, or a movement feels unstable. Progression may involve resistance, overhead control and work or sport tasks in small steps.

Arrange prompt medical review after a new injury with marked weakness, inability to raise the arm, visible deformity, or severe pain that does not settle. Seek urgent help for chest pressure, breathing difficulty, faintness, or sudden arm weakness with other neurological symptoms. Contact your treating clinician if the programme consistently worsens symptoms or function is declining.

Ask which tendon is affected, whether the tear is partial or full thickness, and which activities should be limited. Clarify how progress will be measured, when strengthening can advance, and when an orthopaedic reassessment is appropriate.