What is a Rotator Cuff Injury? What's the Treatment?

Shoulder rotator cuff injury  is very common shoulder injury. What is your Rotator Cuff? The shoulder joint is a relatively unstable ball and socket joint. It is often likened to a golf ball on a tee. The subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus and teres minor are your small rotator cuff muscles that stabilise and control your shoulder movement on your shoulder blade (scapula). Collectively, these four muscles are known as the rotator cuff. Each rotator cuff muscle has a contractile muscle belly (red) and a tendon (white) that inserts into the bone (head of humerus). What Rotator Cuff Injuries are Common? Your rotator cuff muscles and tendons are vulnerable to full and partial tears, tendinopathies and impingement related disorders. Rotator cuff injuries vary from mild tendon inflammation (tendonitis), bursitis (inflammed bursa), calcific tendonitis (bone forming within the tendon) through to partial and full thickness tendon tears, which may require surgery. Some shoulder rotator cuff injuries are more common than others.  These include: Rotator Cuff Impingement Syndrome Rotator Cuff Tendonitis / Tendinopathies Shoulder Bursitis (fluid-filled sac that provides a cushion between a bone and tissues) Calcific Tendonitis Rotator Cuff Tears Bicipital Tendonitis Where are your Rotator Cuff Muscles? Your rotator cuff muscles hold you arm (humerus) onto your shoulder blade (scapula).  Most the the rotator cuff tendons are hidden under the bony point of your shoulder (acromion), which as well as protecting your rotator cuff can also impinge into your rotator cuff structures. What Causes a Rotator Cuff Injury? Your rotator cuff tendons are protected from simple knocks and bumps by bones (mainly the acromion) and ligaments that form a protective arch over the top of your shoulder. In between the rotator cuff tendons and the bony arch is the sub-acromial bursa (a lubricating sack), which helps to protect the tendons from touching the bone and provide a smooth surface for the tendons to glide over. However, nothing is fool-proof. Any of these structures can be injured - whether they be your bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments or bursas. Rotator cuff impingement syndrome is a condition where your rotator cuff tendons are intermittently trapped and compressed during shoulder movements This causes injury to the shoulder tendons and bursa resulting in painful shoulder movements. What are the Symptoms of Rotator Cuff Injury? While each specific rotator cuff injury has its own specific symptoms and signs, you can suspect a rotator cuff injury if you have: an arc of shoulder pain or clicking when your arm is at shoulder height or when your arm is overhead. shoulder pain that can extend from the top of your shoulder to your elbow.  shoulder pain when lying on your sore shoulder. shoulder pain at rest (in more severe rotator cuff injuries). shoulder muscle weakness or pain when attempting to reach or lift. shoulder pain when putting your hand behind your back or head. shoulder pain reaching for a seat-belt. How is a Rotator Cuff Injury Diagnosed? Your physiotherapist or sports doctor will suspect a rotator cuff injury based on your clinical history and the findings from a series of clinical tests. A diagnostic ultrasound scan is the most accurate method to diagnose the specific rotator cuff injury pathology. MRI’s may show a rotator cuff injury but have also been known to miss them. X-rays are of little diagnostic value when a rotator cuff injury is suspected. How to Treat a Rotator Cuff Injury? Once you suspect a rotator cuff injury, it is important to confirm the exact type of your rotator cuff injury since treatment does vary depending on the specific or combination of rotator cuff injuries. Your rotator cuff is an important group of control and stability muscles that maintain “centralisation” of your shoulder joint. In other words, it keeps the shoulder ball centred over the small socket. This prevents injuries such as impingement, subluxations and dislocations. We also know that your rotator cuff provides subtle glides and slides of the ball joint on the socket to allow full shoulder movement. Plus, your shoulder blade (scapula) has a vital role as the main dynamically stable base plate that attaches your arm to your chest wall. Researchers have concluded that there are essentially 7 stages that need to be covered to effectively rehabilitate these injuries and prevent recurrence.  These are: Early Injury Protection: Pain Relief & Anti-inflammatory Tips Regain Full Range of Motion Restore Scapular Control Restore Normal Neck-Scapulo-Thoracic-Shoulder Function Restore Rotator Cuff Strength Restore High Speed, Power, Proprioception & Agility Return to Sport or Work For more specific advice about your rotator cuff injury, please contact your PhysioWorks physiotherapist. Contact PhysioWorks or Book Online More Information about Rotator Cuff Injury What is Rotator Cuff Impingement Syndrome? What is the Impingement Zone? What Causes Rotator Cuff Impingement? Your PhysioWorks physiotherapist is an expert in the assessment and correction of shoulder rotator cuff injuries. Any deficiencies that they detect during your assessment will be an important component of your rehabilitation. Your physiotherapist will be able to guide you in the appropriate treatment and exercises for your rotator cuff injury after their thorough assessment. Contact PhysioWorks or Book Online Common Rotator Cuff Injury Treatments Early Treatment Avoid the HARM Factors What are the Healing Phases for a Soft Tissue Injury? What to do after a Muscle Strain or Ligament Sprain Acupuncture and Dry Needling What is Sub-Acute Soft Tissue Injury Treatment? Scapular Stabilisation Exercises Rotator Cuff Strengthening Exercises Shoulder Stretching Exercises Biomechanical Analysis Proprioception & Balance Exercises Agility & Sport-Specific Exercises Medications? Soft Tissue Massage Electrotherapy & Local Modalities Heating Pads Joint Pain Relief Techniques Kinesiology Taping Neurodynamics / Neuro Mobilisation Physiotherapy Instrument Mobilisation (PIM) Prehabilitation Strengthening Exercises Stretching Exercises Support Brace Supportive Taping & Strapping TENS Machines Contact PhysioWorks or Book Online FAQs about Rotator Cuff Injury What is Pain? Physiotherapy & Exercise When Should Diagnostic Tests Be Performed? What are the Different Massage Styles and their Benefits? How Does Kinesiology Tape Reduce Swelling? How Much Treatment Will You Need? How to Stretch? Sports Injury? What to do? When? What are the Common Massage Therapy Techniques? What are the Early Warning Signs of an Injury? What Causes Rotator Cuff Impingement & Bursitis? What is a Tendinopathy? What is Chronic Pain? What is Scapulo-humeral Rhythm? What is Sports Physiotherapy? What is the Correct Posture Standing? What is the Shoulder Impingement Zone? What is Your Rotator Cuff? What Pillow Do Physiotherapists Recommend? When Can You Return to Sport or Work? Contact PhysioWorks or Book Online Helpful Products for Rotator Cuff Injury Related Rotator Cuff Injuries Acromioclavicular Joint Injury Biceps Tendonitis Muscle Pain: Strains or Tears Overuse Injuries Rotator Cuff Calcific Tendinitis Rotator Cuff Impingement Rotator Cuff Injury Rotator Cuff Tear Shoulder Arthritis Shoulder Bursitis Shoulder Dislocation Shoulder Tendonitis Swimmer's Shoulder

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