The injured shoulder should be rested from the activities that caused the problem and from activities that cause pain.
Ice packs applied to the shoulder and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will help reduce inflammation and pain.
Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles of the rotator cuff should be started. If the pain persists or if therapy is not possible because of severe pain, a steroid injection may reduce pain and inflammation enough to allow effective therapy.
If the rotator cuff has sustained a complete tear, or if the symptoms persist despite conservative therapy, surgery may be necessary. Arthroscopic surgery can remove bone spurs and inflamed tissue around the shoulder. Small tears can be treated with arthroscopic surgery although larger tears require open surgery through a larger incision to repair the torn tendon.
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