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What happens if a torn rotator cuff goes untreated?

Not every rotator cuff injury requires surgery. Some injuries can heal on their own with rest, pain management, and physical therapy. If this more conservative treatment is recommended, it can avoid potential risks of surgery, such as infection, stiffness, anesthesia complications, and recovery downtime. The disadvantages of healing a tear on its own are that the injury may again worsen over time, and activities may be limited for quite some time.

If a severe injury that requires surgery is not treated, then the effects can be life-altering. Chronic shoulder pain can be debilitating, affecting sleep, family time, career choices, and even simple daily tasks.

As more time passes, scar tissue can build up in the joint, causing even more restricted movement and requiring more extensive surgery to remove. Arthroscopic surgery may no longer be possible, with the only choice being a more invasive, open shoulder surgery. Open surgery requires a few days in the hospital and a longer recovery time.

What is arthroscopic rotator cuff repair?

Is rotator cuff surgery considered a major surgery?

How can you tell if your rotator cuff is torn or strained? (Where does it hurt with a torn rotator cuff?)

How long does it take to recover from arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery?

How can I make my rotator cuff heal faster?

* Savings estimate based on a study of more than 1 billion claims comparing self-pay (or cash pay) prices of a frequency-weighted market basket of procedures to insurer-negotiated rates for the same. Claims were collected between July 2017 and July 2019. R.Lawrence Van Horn, Arthur Laffer, Robert L.Metcalf. 2019. The Transformative Potential for Price Transparency in Healthcare: Benefits for Consumers and Providers. Health Management Policy and Innovation, Volume 4, Issue 3.

Sidecar Health offers and administers a variety of plans including ACA compliant and excepted benefit plans. Coverage and plan options may vary or may not be available in all states.

Your actual costs may be higher or lower than these cost estimates. Check with your provider and health plan details to confirm the costs that you may be charged for a service or procedure.You are responsible for costs that are not covered and for getting any pre-authorizations or referrals required by your health plan. Neither payments nor benefits are guaranteed. Provider data, including price data, provided in part by Turquoise Health.

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