A rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint, which holds the upper arm bone in place within its shallow socket. When you suffer from a rotator cuff injury, you may experience a dull ache in the shoulder that worsens at night, disturb your sleep, make it difficult to comb your hair or reach behind your back, and experience arm weakness as a result. There is a high incidence of rotator cuff injuries among people who work in repetitive overhead motions, such as painters and carpenters, or who participate in sports like baseball, tennis, and weight lifting.
In the event of a rotator cuff injury, direct primary care (DPC) may be a good option for you, as it provides patients direct access to their primary care provider, eliminates third-party billing, and lowers costs. Using DPC, you can pay a monthly, quarterly, or annual fee for unlimited primary care services, such as consultations, exams, care coordination, and some lab services, without additional fees.
DPC can offer several advantages for patients with rotator cuff injuries, such as:
In general, DPC physicians have fewer patients than traditional primary care physicians, so they can spend more time with you and address your concerns more thoroughly during your visits. It is also possible to reach out to your provider by phone, email, or video chat, which can be more convenient and efficient than in-person consultations.
DPC allows you to seek care as soon as you notice any symptoms of a rotator cuff injury, without worrying about deductibles or copays. In this way, you can prevent further damage to your shoulder, thereby avoiding surgery and more invasive treatments. In addition to providing personalized advice on how to prevent rotator cuff injuries, DPC physicians can also assist you with stretching, strengthening exercises, and proper posture.
The DPC physician can help you find the best option for your needs and budget if you need to see a specialist for your rotator cuff injury, such as an orthopedist or physical therapist. Additionally, your DPC physician can coordinate and communicate with your other healthcare providers to ensure that your care is consistent.
Your medical history, lifestyle, preferences, and goals can be taken into account when managing your rotator cuff injury at DPC. Your DPC physician may recommend one or more of the following treatments depending on the severity and type of your rotator cuff injury:
Rest and ice. The first step in treating a rotator cuff injury is to rest the affected shoulder and apply ice packs to reduce inflammation and pain.
The doctor may prescribe or recommend over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, to reduce swelling and pain. Corticosteroid injections may also be used to reduce inflammation in the shoulder joint.
It is possible to restore the function and range of motion of the shoulder by performing physical therapy exercises that improve flexibility and strength of the muscles surrounding the shoulder joint. You can get a referral to a physical therapist or learn how to do some exercises at home from your DPC physician.
A DPC physician can help you decide if surgery is a good option for you, and refer you to a qualified surgeon, if surgery is necessary to repair a torn rotator cuff or remove bone spurs impinging on the shoulder joint.
DPC can help you prevent and treat rotator cuff injuries in a cost-effective and patient-centered way, giving you more control over your health and well-being.
As Benjamin Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
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