Do rotator cuff injuries ever heal fully?

[Nzou]

I have an old rot. cuff injury from an army assault course many years ago, which flares up when I train hard. I've had physiotherapy, NSAID's, cortisone injections - nothing helps for long. Do these things ever really heal? Has anyone had surgery for a rot cuff tear? Did it work? What do you guys do about it?
Thanks from a newbie
Alan

 

['89-LX-5.0]

My brother did in his 10th grade summer i believe( maybe his junior summer). He went through rehab extensively and returned to the starting rotation on his North State Runer up Baseball team. He went on to place JUCO baseball. He also went to the MSHS ALL Star Game. So i would say yes. He lifts somewhat regularly now with no problems.

 

[Thaibox]

My lifting buddies and I were actually just discussing this yesterday. My opinion was no, they never fully heal without surgery. I compared them to Hemorrhoids . Once you get 'em, they can pop up anywhere down the line.

This is totally based on my empirical observations of them, but it seems to be true. Once you toast a rotator, no matter how good you think its getting, the potential for re-injury is always there...higher than prior to the first.

 

[megalo]

You can probably go a long way toward resolving your rotator cuff issues through the use of aggressive rear delt training. Many of these chronic rotator cuff problems are associated with over development of the anterior portion of the cuff relative to its posterior elements. You see this all the time in heavy benchers and overhead pressers. Give some dedicated time to rear delts and prioritize this in your shoulder training. Although I can't guarantee that it will work it is certainly worth a few weeks of work to try to avoid the knife. You can use cables, dumbells, or the reverse pec deck to accomplish this. You also need to lay off the movements that stimulate your pain until it is healed. I fixed my chronic rotator cuff problem in about 2 months, and now it is a complet non issue. Good luck

 

[NWinters]

I have had rotator cuff probs sine 99', i was hard headed and never let them heal.....you must take time off, to train through the injury you must not neglect to do light rotator work , when i do heavy work loads i make sure the cuff is warmed up every time.