Dealing With Shoulder Injuries?
Watch this video on how shoulder injuries form.
Understanding Rotator Cuff Anatomy.
The term "Rotator cuff" describes a section of four muscles that keep your shoulder held together in its shallow socket while larger muscles move it.
Strains and injuries in the rotator cuff are typically the most common cause of people experiencing shoulder problems, accounting for 4.5 million doctor visits per year. Injuries are classified by the amount of damage as "partial tears", "full-thickness tears" or "ruptures".
A "partial tear" is the result of one side of your tendon been partially frayed. A "full-thickness tear", sometimes called a "complete tear", is when there is a hole or slit in your tendon, much like what would be created by running a knife length-wise down a rope.
The most serious type of injury is a "rupture," which means your tendon has been broken in two.
What Causes Of Rotator Cuff Injuries?
Less than 10% of rotator cuff tears are the direct result of an acute injury like falling, pushing, pulling, throwing or lifting.
The overwhelming majority of injuries are caused by repetitive strains over a long period of time. A condition known as "impingement" is one of the most common causes of rotator cuff tears. Impingement essentially means that the section where your rotator cuff tendon lives have simply become too crowded and the rotator cuff tendon is being pinched each time you raise your arm.
People who perform repeated overhead activities are usually at the greatest risk for impingement and rotator cuff tendon problems. This usually includes athletes who play baseball, volleyball, tennis, rowing, weight lifting, swimming and archery, and jobs that include carpentry, painting, wallpaper hanging, cleaning windows and washing/waxing cars. Smoking, obesity, elevated cholesterol, and previous cortisone injection are also contributing factors for rotator cuff issues.
What Are The Symptoms Of Rotator Cuff Injuries?
Patients who have suffered an acute rotator cuff injury often report a "tearing" or "snapping" sound and sensation that is followed by severe pain and weakness.
Most chronic strains start silently with symptoms slowly becoming more evident as the tear progresses. The pain commonly occurs in the front and outside of your shoulder, but it can also travel down your spine.
Symptoms are usually aggravated by overhead activity and may progress to the point that you have difficulty raising your arm overhead. Pain is typically made worse at night, especially when you lie on the impacted area of your shoulder. Be sure to tell us if you suffer from significant neck pain, shortness of breath, chest pain or chest pressure.
How Can You Reduce Rotator Cuff Pain?
Young patients who have suffered an acute tear or rupture in many cases will require surgery, while most others will benefit from conservative treatments, such as the ones offered in this office.
Be sure to avoid painful overhead activity or carrying heavy objects.
Try not to sleep on your irritated side, especially with your arm outstretched overhead. You may benefit by sleeping on your side that has not been impacted with a pillow between your arm and trunk. Smokers should try to stop and find a support group, and overweight patients can rebound faster if they start a diet and exercise program. Performing your home exercises is especially important.