Rotator cuff injuries are a common cause of shoulder pain, especially in middle-aged and older adults. The rotator cuff consists of a group of muscles and tendons that provide stability and enable a wide range of shoulder movements. Damage to these tendons can lead to significant pain and loss of function.
Our team at the Atlanta spine and orthopedic clinic understand that you want the smoothest recovery possible and are dedicated in helping you deal with this injury. This guide will explain what a rotator cuff injury is and how rotator cuff injury works.
Rotator Cuff Injuries
What is the Rotator Cuff?
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint. It allows for all sorts of shoulder movements. These tendons attach the muscles to the bones, connecting the humerus to the shoulder blade. This is important for shoulder strength and flexibility.
Types of Rotator Cuff Injuries
Rotator cuff injuries can be acute or degenerative tears. Acute tears are caused by a sudden trauma, such as falling on an outstretched arm or lifting something heavy and wrong. These injuries often occur with shoulder dislocations or car accidents.
A partial tear involves damage to the rotator cuff tendon but does not completely sever it, unlike a complete tear. A partial tear may only require a trimming or smoothing procedure called debridement.
Degenerative tears occur over time due to wear and tear. Repetitive overhead movements in sports or jobs like painting can cause these injuries. As we age, reduced blood supply to the rotator cuff and bone spurs can contribute to tendon damage.
Symptoms of Rotator Cuff Injuries
Symptoms of rotator cuff injuries include pain at rest and during movement, especially when lifting or rotating the arm. Pain can disrupt sleep if you lie on the affected shoulder. Other symptoms include weakness, swelling and a crackling sensation during shoulder movements. These can affect daily activities and overall life.
Types of Rotator Cuff Injuries
Acute Tears
Acute tears occur suddenly due to a trauma. These are often caused by falling on an outstretched arm, lifting something heavy and wrong or a direct blow to the shoulder.
Acute tears often occur with other injuries like shoulder dislocations or fractures and are common in accidents like car accidents. Immediate pain and loss of shoulder function are signs of an acute torn rotator cuff. Symptoms include severe shoulder pain, weakness, and limited range of motion. Immediate treatment options include rest, ice application, and seeking medical evaluation to determine the extent of the injury and appropriate management.
Degenerative Tears
Degenerative tears occur over time due to the natural aging process and repetitive shoulder movements. These are common in people who do repetitive overhead activities, such as athletes (especially tennis players and swimmers) and professionals (like electricians and painters).
Rotator cuff tendonitis is the inflammation or irritation of the tendons and muscles in the shoulder joint, often caused by similar repetitive overhead activities. Symptoms include shoulder pain, weakness, and limited range of motion, and it can lead to degenerative tears if left untreated.
As we age, the blood supply to the rotator cuff tendons decreases and they become more prone to wear and tear. Bone spurs can form and rub against the tendons causing further degeneration and tears. Degenerative tears cause chronic shoulder pain and progressive loss of function.
Symptoms of Rotator Cuff Injuries
Pain
Pain is the most common symptom of a rotator cuff injury. Rotator cuff tear symptoms include pain, weakness, and limited range of motion. It can be at rest and gets worse with shoulder movements, especially lifting or rotating the arm. Night pain is also common, especially when lying on the affected side.
Weakness
Weakness in the shoulder is another symptom. This can make it hard to do daily activities like lifting objects, reaching overhead or even combing your hair. The shoulder can feel unstable or weak and limits the range of motion.
Sensory Symptoms
In addition to pain and weakness, sensory symptoms like swelling, tenderness and a crackling sensation (crepitus) can occur when you move your shoulder in certain positions. These symptoms can indicate inflammation or damage within the shoulder joint.
Diagnosing Rotator Cuff Injuries
Medical Review and Physical Examination
Diagnosing a rotator cuff injury starts with a medical review and physical examination by a doctor.
The doctor will review the patient’s medical history, symptoms and any recent injury or activity that may have caused the shoulder pain. During the physical examination, the doctor will check for pain, tenderness and range of motion of the shoulder.
Imaging Studies
To confirm the diagnosis, imaging studies are often done. X-rays can show bone spurs or other bone abnormalities that may be causing the injury. But to see the soft tissues, MRI or ultrasound is preferred.
These imaging studies will give a clear view of the tendons and muscles and will help identify tears, inflammation and other problems within the rotator cuff.
Treatment Options for Rotator Cuff Injury
Rest and Immobilization
Initial treatment is rest and immobilization. Using a shoulder sling can help minimize movement and let the tendons heal. Rest is important to avoid further irritation of the injury.
Medications and Injections
Pain relief can be achieved with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen. Steroid injections can also be used to reduce inflammation and give temporary pain relief.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is needed to get the shoulder back to function. Specific exercises will strengthen the shoulder muscles and improve range of motion. A structured physical therapy program can help a lot in the recovery.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
PRP therapy is a regenerative treatment where platelet-rich plasma is injected into the affected area. This treatment promotes healing and tissue repair for patients who don’t respond to conventional treatments.
Surgical Interventions
Surgery is needed for severe or non-responsive cases. Rotator cuff repair involves surgical procedures to fix a torn rotator cuff, typically indicated when conservative treatments fail or the tear is severe.
Recovery after rotator cuff surgery includes a personalized rehabilitation program, focusing on different stages of rehabilitation and physical therapy to regain shoulder strength and motion.
Arthroscopic Surgery
This minimally invasive procedure uses a lighted, thin fiber-optic tube with a camera inserted through small incisions. The procedure involves re-attaching the tendon to the head of the upper arm bone. It allows for removal of bone spurs and repair of torn tendons with suture anchors.
Open Surgery
In severe cases, open surgery may be needed. Torn rotator cuffs often require traditional open repair methods, which involve a larger incision to access and repair the torn tendons. This traditional approach involves a larger incision to access and repair the torn tendons, sometimes requiring tendon grafts to get the shoulder back to function.
Preventing Rotator Cuff Injury
Proper Techniques
Proper techniques in physical activities and daily tasks is key to preventing rotator cuff injury. This includes lifting objects correctly, not to overdo overhead movements and ensure ergonomic setup at workstations. Athletes should focus on proper form and technique in their sports to minimize strain on the shoulder.
Strengthening Exercises
Regular strengthening exercises for the shoulder muscles will help maintain joint stability and prevent injuries. Exercises that target the rotator cuff muscles such as internal and external rotations will enhance shoulder strength and flexibility. Consistent exercise will also improve overall shoulder endurance.
Regular Stretching
Regular stretching is important to maintain flexibility and prevent stiffness in the shoulder joint. Stretching exercises that focus on the shoulder and upper back will help keep the muscles and tendons flexible, reduce the risk of tears. Stretching should be done gently and consistently, especially before and after physical activities.
Avoiding Repetitive Strain
Reducing repetitive overhead activities will help prevent wear and tear on the rotator cuff tendons. For those whose job requires repetitive movements, it is important to take regular breaks and do different tasks to avoid continuous strain on the shoulder. Using tools or techniques that minimize shoulder strain can also help.
Early Intervention
Addressing shoulder pain or discomfort early will prevent minor problems from becoming major injuries. Seeking medical advice and treatment at the first sign of shoulder problems will lead to early diagnosis and better management. Early intervention will prevent rotator cuff injury from progressing and reduce the need for surgical treatments.
Come to our Atlanta Spine and Orthopedic Clinic Today!
We know how much a rotator cuff injury can affect your daily life. Knowing how to treat it correctly can prevent life-long complications.
Our dedicated team can help you through your road to recovery. Don’t hesitate to call us today at 678-929-4494!