Rotator cuff disorders are some of the most common injuries that affect the shoulder. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), every year, approximately 200,000 Americans undergo surgery to repair their rotator cuff.
The shoulder is a ball and socket joint with three main bones: the upper arm bone or humerus, the collarbone or clavicle, and the shoulder blade or scapula. The rotator cuff is a group of tendons and muscles that connect the humerus and the scapula. As their name suggests, the rotator cuff muscles allow the shoulders to rotate as well as provide them with dynamic stability.
There are numerous causes of rotator cuff tears ranging from injury (trauma) to degeneration (repeated micro-trauma.) An acute rotator cuff tear occurs quickly. It could result from making a sudden, jerking motion such as lifting a heavy load or from falling and landing on one's arm while it's outstretched. However, degeneration is the most common cause of rotator cuff tears. A tear due to degeneration, also called a chronic tear, occurs over time: Repeated straining and pinching of the rotator cuff syndromes could squeeze the rotator cuff tendons, eventually causing them to tear.
Symptoms
Symptoms for both types of tears include pain in the shoulder or arm that often disrupts sleep, difficulty moving the shoulder, difficulty lifting objects or raising the affected arm over the head, weakness, and soreness.
With an acute rotator cuff tear, intense pain sets in immediately after an injury or fall. With a chronic tear, the symptoms are initially mild, and the pain and mobility issues worsen over time.
Treatment options
It is important to visit a physician as soon as symptoms arise. Treatment of a rotator cuff injury depends on the severity of the tear.
A partial tear could only require rest, pain relief and anti-inflammatory medications, cold and heat therapy, and physical therapy. However, a complete tear typically requires surgery to correct, especially if the patient does not respond to other forms of treatment. A doctor could also administer a corticosteroid shot to reduce pain and swelling.
Physical therapy and rehabilitation are essential for complete tears, as well, to strengthen the weakened muscles supporting the arm and shoulder and to restore full shoulder range of motion.
Dr. Melanie Novak, M.D., utilizes a multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of chronic and acute pain. For related discussions, subscribe to this blog.
The shoulder is a ball and socket joint with three main bones: the upper arm bone or humerus, the collarbone or clavicle, and the shoulder blade or scapula. The rotator cuff is a group of tendons and muscles that connect the humerus and the scapula. As their name suggests, the rotator cuff muscles allow the shoulders to rotate as well as provide them with dynamic stability.
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| Image source: lifescript.com |
There are numerous causes of rotator cuff tears ranging from injury (trauma) to degeneration (repeated micro-trauma.) An acute rotator cuff tear occurs quickly. It could result from making a sudden, jerking motion such as lifting a heavy load or from falling and landing on one's arm while it's outstretched. However, degeneration is the most common cause of rotator cuff tears. A tear due to degeneration, also called a chronic tear, occurs over time: Repeated straining and pinching of the rotator cuff syndromes could squeeze the rotator cuff tendons, eventually causing them to tear.
Symptoms
Symptoms for both types of tears include pain in the shoulder or arm that often disrupts sleep, difficulty moving the shoulder, difficulty lifting objects or raising the affected arm over the head, weakness, and soreness.
With an acute rotator cuff tear, intense pain sets in immediately after an injury or fall. With a chronic tear, the symptoms are initially mild, and the pain and mobility issues worsen over time.
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| Image source: physicaltherapyweb.com |
Treatment options
It is important to visit a physician as soon as symptoms arise. Treatment of a rotator cuff injury depends on the severity of the tear.
A partial tear could only require rest, pain relief and anti-inflammatory medications, cold and heat therapy, and physical therapy. However, a complete tear typically requires surgery to correct, especially if the patient does not respond to other forms of treatment. A doctor could also administer a corticosteroid shot to reduce pain and swelling.
Physical therapy and rehabilitation are essential for complete tears, as well, to strengthen the weakened muscles supporting the arm and shoulder and to restore full shoulder range of motion.
Dr. Melanie Novak, M.D., utilizes a multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of chronic and acute pain. For related discussions, subscribe to this blog.
