Medicine and physical rehabilitation are often used with or without surgery to treat rotator cuff disorders. Medicine relieves or reduces inflammation and pain.

Medication Choices

Your doctor may recommend medicines for pain (analgesics). These are available with or without a prescription.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most common medicines used to help manage rotator cuff disorders. NSAIDs are available with or without a prescription. Or you can use acetaminophen.

Corticosteroid injections are sometimes given with an anesthetic, such as lidocaine, to help diagnose the source of your shoulder pain. They also may be used if tendinitis or bursitis is suspected. Corticosteroids are strong anti-inflammatory medicines that are usually given only after 3 to 4 weeks of other treatment (such as rest, ice or heat, NSAIDs, and physical therapy) has not improved the shoulder. Corticosteroids can be effective treatment for rotator cuff disorders. But if used excessively, corticosteroids may have side effects that impair the healing of injured tissues or make tendons more likely to rupture or tear. If the first corticosteroid shot does not provide significant relief, a second shot may be given to make sure the first shot was given in the correct place. But there is rarely a need for more than a few corticosteroid shots. Corticosteroids are important medicines for the treatment of rotator cuff disorders, but caution is needed to avoid overuse.

What To Think About

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroid injections do not heal rotator cuff disorders. These medicines reduce pain and inflammation to help you move your shoulder comfortably. This allows you to start exercises to stretch and gradually strengthen the shoulder, which reduces the risk of stiffness or a frozen shoulder. Acetaminophen can also help with pain, but it will not reduce inflammation.

Aspirin and other NSAIDs usually are not taken for at least 5 days before surgery, because they interfere with blood clotting.

Before taking NSAIDs, let your doctor know about any other medicines you use. Combining NSAIDs with certain other medicines can be harmful.

After a corticosteroid injection, your doctor may recommend a 6-week home treatment program to improve tendinitis.