RESUMO
The two main causes of rotator-cuff injuries are trauma and degeneration. Modern medical sciences recommend operative reconstruction surgery for ruptured injuries of the rotator cuff. But the outcome of surgery often leads to restrictions on movement. In this case, supraspinatus tendon tears with degenerative causes were satisfactorily managed with ayurvedic conservative management alone. A 68-year-old patient was admitted to the Kayachikitsa inpatient department of Vaidyaratnam ayurveda college, Ollur, on September 21, 2023, with right shoulder pain and restricted shoulder movements. In an MRI, the case was diagnosed as a partial tear of the anterior fibres of the supraspinatus tendon of the rotator cuff with sub-coracoid bursitis of the right shoulder joint. On examination of the right shoulder joint, all shoulder movements were restricted due to pain. Hawkins抯 impingement test, Neer抯 test, and the painful arc test were found to be positive. She underwent a treatment protocol of Vatavyadhi Chikitsa incorporated with Bhagna Chikitsa. Internal and external medications, along with Upanaham, Abhyanga, Thaila pichu, bandage, and active shoulder exercises, were the treatments followed in this case. After the treatment, patient got relief from pain (VAS scale: 7 to 4) and considerable improvement in range of motion (ROM) for the right shoulder joint. This case study highlighted that within one month, the chronic rotator cuff injury got partial functional restoration (SPADI-56 to 30) by conservative ayurvedic management.