What is the rotator cuff?
A rotator cuff is a group of tendons and muscles that surround your shoulder joint, holding the head of your upper arm bone firmly within your shoulder socket. Your rotator cuff is incredibly durable and tough, but it isn’t invincible. If you regularly experience a dull ache or throbbing pain in one or both shoulders, a rotator cuff injury may be to blame.
What is a rotator cuff injury?
A rotator cuff injury is a common musculoskeletal injury that occurs as a result of repetitive arm motions.
Anyone can experience a rotator cuff injury, but they’re especially common in athletes who repeatedly perform overhead motions, such as baseball pitchers or tennis players. Your job might also put you at risk. For example, if you’re a painter or carpenter, you might regularly lift your paintbrush or tools over your head.
Sometimes, rotator cuff injuries occur due to a sudden impact. However, they usually develop gradually over an extended period.
What are the symptoms of rotator cuff injuries?
The symptoms of rotator cuff injuries vary from person to person and depend on the underlying cause. Telltale signs of rotator cuff injuries include:
- A dull, aching pain
- Difficulty sleeping
- Difficulty combing your hair
- Difficulty reaching for objects
As your rotator cuff injury gets worse, you might also experience arm weakness.
Is there any way to avoid rotator cuff injuries?
There’s no way to avoid rotator cuff injuries entirely, but you can significantly lower your risk by exercising the muscles in your chest, shoulders, and upper arms. If you play sports or use your arms in your job, you should also take time to stretch every morning. This alone encourages circulation.
How are rotator cuff injuries diagnosed?
To diagnose a rotator cuff injury, Dr. Tamai physically examines your shoulder and upper arm. He also gently presses on your shoulder and tests the strength of the muscles in your shoulders and arms. If necessary, Dr. Tamai might also order a diagnostic ultrasound or a series of X-rays.
How are rotator cuff injuries treated?
Dr. Tamai usually recommends conservative treatments to ease pain caused by rotator cuff injuries. Depending on the cause of your injury, he might recommend physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, or hyaluronic acid injections.
If your pain persists or gets worse, surgical intervention may be necessary. There are several types of rotator cuff surgery, including:
- Arthroscopic tendon repair
- Open tendon repair
- Tendon transfer
- Shoulder replacement
To schedule your rotator cuff injury appointment with Dr. Tamai at Orthopaedic Surgical Associates, LLC, call the office or click the online scheduling tool today.
