| The term "rotator cuff" defines the group of | | | | present. A person with an unknown tear may find |
| muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder. | | | | activities such as parting their hair, brushing their |
| These muscles and tendons essentially "cuff" | | | | teeth, or getting a can of soup out of the pantry |
| around the head of the humerus, otherwise | | | | difficult or impossible. The pain is usually localized |
| known as the long bone of the arm, holding it to | | | | to the front and side of the shoulder, as well as |
| the scapula, otherwise known as the shoulder | | | | the upper arm. |
| blade. Responsible for much of the shoulder's | | | | |
| stability, the rotator cuff is made up of four | | | | While the pain may be stable, and involve |
| muscles, the supraspinatus, the infraspinatus, the | | | | different degrees, it will almost always increase |
| teres minor, and the subscapularis. A rotator cuff | | | | when the arm is raised overhead. Rotator cuff |
| injury happens when one of these four muscles is | | | | injuries that are minor are usually classified by pain |
| damaged. This can occur suddenly, or it can | | | | only when active, particularly when raising the |
| develop gradually over time. The injuries can also | | | | arms. Minor injuries are usually not painful when a |
| be minor, with no permanent damage, or be | | | | person is at rest. Those with moderate damage |
| severe enough to require surgery. | | | | will have pain during activity and directly after |
| | | | activity. There may also be pain at night and an |
| What are the Causes | | | | interruption of sleep. For those with severe |
| Rotator cuff injuries can be caused by a variety | | | | damage, continuous pain will be present. |
| of things. First of all, chronic tears, or tears that | | | | |
| progress over time, are often found in jobs that | | | | Prevention of Rotator Cuff Injuries |
| require excessive rotator cuff use. These can | | | | While not all injuries can be prevented, there are |
| include painters, construction workers, and baseball | | | | a few things that can be done to decrease their |
| players. On the other end of the spectrum are | | | | risk. For instance, keeping the muscles strong and |
| acute tears. These are tears that occur suddenly | | | | flexible through exercise will provide the rotator |
| and usually involve a large amount of force. These | | | | cuff with more resistance to damage. Abstaining |
| tears can happen when lifting an extremely heavy | | | | from activities that require excessive and |
| object, or falling on a shoulder. Rotator cuffs can | | | | repetitive use of the rotator cuff, such as |
| also tear because tendonitis. | | | | throwing a baseball, can also help reduce the risk. |
| | | | Along these lines, using good judgment, and not |
| But, Rotator cuff injuries aren't always the result | | | | catching or lifting objects that are too heavy can |
| of an occupation, an accident, or a condition. They | | | | help keep the rotator cuff from tearing. Finally, |
| can also be caused by advanced age. Rotator | | | | taking frequent breaks when overhead use of the |
| cuff injuries from old age often occur when the | | | | arms is required, such as when painting a house, |
| tendons comprising the cuff are rubbed up against | | | | and giving these muscles an adequate amount of |
| a bone. In a normal rotator cuff there is a small | | | | rest in between movements can help prevent |
| sac of fluid (the subacromial bursa) that cushions | | | | injuries. |
| the tendons against the bones. When inflammation | | | | |
| sets in, due to things like calcium deposits, this | | | | Treatment of Rotator Cuff |
| cushion becomes smaller, allowing the tendons to | | | | In the invent that a rotator cuff does tear there |
| be squeezed and ultimately rubbed against the | | | | are a variety of treatment options. These options |
| bones. This causes damage to the tendon, leaving | | | | all aspire to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and |
| the tendons, over time, stringy, weak, and more | | | | reclaim strength, function, and flexibility. While all |
| likely to tear. | | | | maintaining a common goal, these treatment |
| | | | options can vary depending on the age, activity |
| Risks of Rotator Cuff Injuries | | | | level, and occupation of the injured. |
| There are several risk factors that can cause | | | | |
| rotator cuff injuries. To begin, people who are | | | | While severe rotator cuff injuries may be |
| born with irregularly shaped bones can have a | | | | repaired surgically, many can be helped in |
| rotator cuff that moves abnormally, causing | | | | non-surgical manners. These treatments may |
| quicker degeneration of the tendons. A person's | | | | include resting the shoulder in a sling, gently |
| age is also a risk factor. People who are older are | | | | moving it from time to time to avoid stiffness; |
| more likely to have normal wear and tear of the | | | | using a heating pad, a bag of ice, or pain |
| rotator cuff, as well as decreased blood supply to | | | | medications; avoiding activities and positions that |
| the tendons and thinning of the tendons. Age | | | | seem to aggravate the pain; and strengthening |
| aside, people who engage in repetitive activities | | | | the surrounding shoulder muscles. |
| that involve force on the shoulder are more likely | | | | |
| to be subject to a rotator cuff injury. Additionally, | | | | Physical therapy is also a form of treatment |
| joint looseness and an imbalance of the muscles | | | | sought by many with rotator cuff injuries. |
| can also play a large role in how easily a rotator | | | | Through physical therapy, a person is taught |
| cuff will tear. | | | | exercises and stretches that strengthen the |
| | | | muscle, gradually restoring function. Many of these |
| The risk of a rotator cuff injury can also be | | | | exercises can even be performed at home. |
| increased with any kind of lifestyle that impedes a | | | | Physical therapy also provides the injured with |
| person's health. Smoking, for instance, decreases | | | | information on muscle function, support, and tips |
| blood flow and blood supply, slowing the healing | | | | for prevention. |
| process of any injuries that have been sustained. | | | | |
| | | | About Us: The Center for Osteopathic Medicine in |
| Symptoms of Rotator Cuff Injuries | | | | Boulder, Colorado believes in The Osteopathic |
| The most common symptom of a rotator cuff | | | | Difference. In a medical industry focused on |
| injury is pain, but stiffness and an overall | | | | treating symptoms, The Center is more focused |
| weakness of the shoulder are also typically | | | | on finding the cause of these symptoms. |