Could I have a rotator cuff injury?

We all have come in contact with someone or know someone that may have or have had a rotator cuff injury. Or maybe you have experienced some shoulder pain, and thought is that my rotator cuff? When the term rotator cuff is used, it is in reference to a group of muscles in the shoulder and their tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint. Rotator cuff injuries can range in severity from a minor strain to partial or full tears.

The group of muscles that make up the rotator cuff and their tendons:

Subscapularis

Supraspinatus: The most common muscle and its tendon affected.

Infraspinatus

Teres Minor

Who’s at risk?

-Athletes or individuals that participate in sports that involve repetitive overhead movements and lifting. Examples: Baseball/softball (throwing athletes), swimmers, and racquet sports. Often seen as an overuse injury in athletes. Improper training techniques can contribute as well (ex; poor biomechanics of throwing, wind-up, cocking, etc.).

-Individuals over 40 years old, associated with degenerative changes (body aging). Again repetitive overhead movements are involved, but in this population, there may be a career history of being a painter, carpenter or construction to name a few.

Symptoms:

• Pain reaching overhead with the affected arm (reaching for objects)

• Increased pain when sleeping on the injured side

• Weakness in the injured shoulder

• Pain with elevating the injured arm

• A popping sensation during overhead movements and/or pain with sporting activities that require overhead movements

• Tenderness in the shoulder, the deltoid muscle and below the deltoid muscle

TREATMENT:

First, visit your primary care provider or chiropractor. After a thorough exam, if a rotator cuff tear is suspected he or she will order advanced imaging; x-rays and/or an MRI (depending on your medical history, age, overall health history and the mechanism of injury). If there is a tear, an MRI is the best at determining the severity.

Your healthcare provider may recommend rehabilitation done by a licensed physical therapist or a chiropractor. Rehabilitation will occur in stages and include therapeutic modalities, heat, ice, therapeutic exercises strengthening weak muscles (ex: external rotators of the shoulders) and the stretching of any tight structures (ex: the posterior capsule of the shoulder). Rehabilitation may also include soft tissue mobilization with or without the use of tools. During the rehabilitation process rest, overtraining, and inadequate training techniques must be corrected as well.

Keep in mind the severity of the injury, a rotator cuff strain or injury may resolve with rehabilitation, but with a partial or full tear, your primary care physician or chiropractor may refer you to an orthopedic surgeon for further treatment options. Also, if there is no improvement with rehab, you may still need an orthopedic surgeon consultation.

Things to remember:

Rotator cuff injury symptoms can mimic other shoulder injuries as well as occur in combination with other shoulder injuries. If you are experiencing shoulder pain or any of these symptoms, it is essential to see a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis.