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.
