Dr. Cristin Mathew is no longer with NASA Bone & Joint Specialists. To schedule at his new practice, please call 281.335.1111

Rotator Cuff Specialist

NASA Bone & Joint Specialists

Orthopedic Sports Medicine Surgeon & General Orthopedic Surgeon located in Houston, TX

Your rotator cuff is the group of muscles and tendons that stabilize your shoulder and support movement. At NASA Bone & Joint Specialists in Houston, Texas, Daniel O’Neill, MD, offers expert diagnosis of rotator cuff injuries and customized treatment to reduce your pain, restore your range of motion, and get you back to your regular activities. If you have shoulder pain, call NASA Bone & Joint Specialists or schedule a consultation online today.

Rotator Cuff Q&A

What is the rotator cuff?

Your rotator cuff consists of four muscles and tendons that support and stabilize your shoulder. The rotator cuff also helps you move and contributes to your shoulder’s exceptional range of motion. However, your rotator cuff is subjected to a lot of wear-and-tear, as it stabilizes your joint with every move you make.

What are the common rotator cuff injuries?

Some of the most common types of rotator cuff injuries include tendinitis, bursitis, strains, and tears. Rotator cuff injuries range in severity, but if you have a mild injury and don’t get proper treatment or allow it to heal completely, it can become a more severe injury.

Rotator cuff injuries are common sports injuries. You could also damage your rotator cuff in a car collision or another accident, or you can gradually develop a rotator cuff injury from daily use and tissue wear-and-tear.

Rotator cuff injuries cause a variety of symptoms, such as:

  • Pain
  • Reduced range of motion
  • Weakness
  • Trouble reaching behind your back
  • Can’t sleep on your side
  • Avoiding activities that trigger pain

Rotator cuff injuries aren’t always painful, so don’t ignore the other symptoms.

How are rotator cuff injuries diagnosed?

The team at NASA Bone & Joint Specialists provides comprehensive exams to identify the cause of your rotator cuff pain. They begin by reviewing your medical history, lifestyle, and symptoms. Then, they perform a physical exam to check for signs of inflammation or deformity. Your provider might also guide your arm through some gentle movements to gauge your pain and any limitations to your range of motion.

If necessary, your provider might order diagnostic imaging studies like X-rays and MRIs to examine the inside of your shoulder for more information about your injury.

How are rotator cuff injuries treated?

Depending on the severity of your injury, the team at NASA Bone & Joint Specialists might begin with conservative treatments such as physical therapy, ice, rest, and medication. However, if surgery is necessary to repair your rotator cuff, they offer state-of-the-art, minimally invasive shoulder surgeries, including arthroscopy, as well as total shoulder replacements.

Call NASA Bone & Joint Specialists or make an appointment online today for expert assessment and treatment for rotator cuff injuries.