Are You Dealing With Shoulder Pain?
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".
When one side of your tendon gets partially frayed, it is said to be "partial torn." When your tendon has a hole or slit, comparable to what would happen if you ran a knife lengthwise down a rope, this is referred to as a "complete tear" or "full-thickness rip." A "rupture," in which your tendon is torn in two, is the most severe kind of injury.
What Are The 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.
Repetitive strains over an extended period of time lead to an overwhelming majority of injuries. "Impingement" is one of the most frequent causes of people beginning to develop a rotator cuff tear. Impingement basically means that your rotator cuff tendon is being pinched every time you raise your arm since the area where it normally resides has just grown too crowded.
The risk of impingement and rotator cuff tendon issues is often highest in people who engage in frequent overhead activities. This typically includes individuals who participate in baseball, volleyball, tennis, rowing, weightlifting, swimming, and archery as well as individuals who work in the fields of carpentry, painting, wallpaper hanging, window cleaning, and washing and waxing automobiles. Other risk factors for rotator cuff issues include smoking, being overweight, having high cholesterol, and having received cortisone injections in the past.
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 begin subtly, and as the tear worsens, symptoms gradually become more noticeable. Although it seldom happens, pain can occasionally travel down your arm in addition to the front and outside of your shoulder.
The symptoms may worsen to the point where you have trouble raising your arm overhead and are typically made worse by overhead activity. Nighttime is usually when pain is at its worst, especially if you lie on the shoulder that is hurt. Please let us know if you experience any severe chest pain, shortness of breath, chest pain, or 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 we provide.
Be sure to avoid painful overhead activity or carrying heavy objects.
Stay away from sleeping on your irritated side, especially if your arm is raised overhead. It may be beneficial to sleep on your unaffected side with a pillow between your arm and trunk. Smokers should try their hardest to quit and look for a programme to help them. If overweight patients begin an exercise and nutrition plan, they will heal more quickly. You must finish your workouts at home.
