The rotator cuff is a group of muscles that, along with their tendons, attach your arm to your shoulder. When these muscles and tendons are healthy, they allow you to move your arm freely. But if one of these tendons tears or becomes injured, movement is extremely painful. If you're experiencing pain in your shoulder and think you've suffered a rotator cuff injury, here are five things you need to know.
1. Rotator cuff pain does not go away. If you think you've torn your rotator cuff, don't assume that it will just heal and the pain will go away. Generally, the symptoms start out with pain and discomfort--particularly at night when lying on the sore shoulder--weakness and/or pain when lifting your arm, and crackling sensations when you move into certain positions. If the discomfort worsens, begins to hurt when you're at rest, or medications are no longer helping, then there's a good chance you're dealing with a torn rotator cuff.
You see, in the beginning, the tear might start out with a "frayed" edge. But over time, that frayed edge tears completely, and you're left with an arm and shoulder that has less function than it once did. And it rarely heals without some type of treatment.
2. A rotator cuff can tear if you fall. If your pain started after a recent fall, it could be simple bruising, or it might be a torn rotator cuff. Most people report hearing a snapping sound, followed by extreme pain and weakness. If even one of those tendons is torn, lifting your arm will be difficult. If this describes your situation, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
3. Rotator cuff problems don't always come from an injury. Believe it or not, falls are not the most common cause of injury to the rotator cuff. Most of the time, when people are having problems, they are caused by the tendons naturally degenerating over time. This is more common in people over the age of 40.
Factors that can cause degeneration of the tendons include the following:
- Repetitive movements like throwing a ball, playing tennis, lifting weights, and even performing jobs like painting and carpentry
- Lack of good blood supply to the shoulder
- The presence of bone spurs rubbing the tendons
4. Not all rotator cuff injuries are treated equally. Just because you have a rotator cuff injury doesn't mean you will have to face surgery. And even if you do eventually need it, there is no evidence that performing surgery close to the time of injury or diagnosis is better than starting off with less invasive ways of treating.
First of all, patients with swelling and small tears from degeneration can often benefit from nonsurgical treatments. Therefore, your doctor may recommend rest in the beginning. Arm slings can be very effective at helping you control your activities. Your doctor may also recommend oral medications to reduce pain and swelling. Eventually, physical therapy or structured exercises should be implemented to help strengthen the shoulder. If all that fails, your doctor could recommend steroid injections at the shoulder to help reduce swelling and improve comfort.
If you've tried all of the above and you're still in pain, or if the tear is significant and occurred from a traumatic fall, your doctor may approach the subject of surgery. This typically involves re-attaching the tendon to the humerus so it can heal properly over time.
5. Long-term tears should be addressed as soon as possible. As you now know, rotator cuff pain will not go away on its own, nor will a significant tear heal. When left untreated, the torn tendon will begin to retract and shrink away from the bone. This is known as "atrophy," and ultimately the muscles will be affected, turning into fat. And once muscle turns into fat, this cannot be reversed. That's why it's so important to address a rotator cuff injury right away so you and your doctor can determine the best treatment for your situation.
To learn more, contact clinics that provide shoulder and knee surgery.
