Shoulder Rotator Cuff Injury
A rotator cuff tear is a common injury, especially in sports like baseball or tennis, or in jobs like painting or cleaning windows. It usually happens over time from normal wear and tears, or if you repeat the same arm motion over and over. But it also can happen suddenly if you fall on your arm or lift something heavy or trivial things like sleeping on one particular side.
Your rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that stabilize your shoulder joint and let you lift and rotate your arms. A tear can be partial when the tendon that protects the top of your shoulder is frayed or damaged. The other is a complete tear. That’s one that goes all the way through the tendon or pulls the tendon off the bone.
Symptoms:
- Have Trouble Raising Your Arm
- Feel Pain When You Move Your Arm In Certain Ways Or Lie On It
- Have Weakness In Your Shoulder
- Be Unable To Lift Things Like You Normally Do
- Hear Clicking Or Popping When You Move Your Arm
If you don’t do anything about a torn rotator cuff, you can have more serious problems over time. You can end up with a frozen shoulder or arthritis that is harder to treat.
Diagnosis
A physical examination along with some simple tests may help reach a diagnosis.
Treatment
- Usually, a combination of physical therapy to make your shoulder muscles stronger, and medications like acetaminophen and anti-inflammatory drugs to help with pain and swelling.
- PRP injection is a new ray of hope for cuff repair.
- Surgery may be required in some extreme cases.
- The smaller and more recent the tear, the better your chances of being pain-free and having a full range of motion.
- Be patient. Recovery is a gradual process. It can take up to a year for you to have full use of your shoulder again.
- Category: Conditions We Treat
