Torn rotator cuff

Hello I am a 28 year old man and used to lift weights regularly until I believe I tore my left rotator cuff about six months ago using a bench press machine with its handles too far back. My left shoulder has shrunk and shakes a little and hurts when I do overhead lifting. It also shakes with the bench press. Physical therapy did not help it. My question is will my rotator cuff tear heal with enough time or will I require surgery for it including to be able to do overhead lifting? Thank you.

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

With without knowing the relevant details i.e. the extent of rotator cuff injury and the type of repair, it would be difficult to answer your question. If it has already been 6 months with physiotherapy, there may not be much improvement beyond this, though one can expect slight improvement. It would be best to discuss the situation in details and the management options with your treating orthopedician.
Hope this helps.

Take care!