Causes And Treatment Of Rotator Cuff Tear And Injuries

by Robert F. Read My Articles, Learn More... The rotator cuff is the area of the shoulder where four tendons and muscles come together at the top of the upper arm bone to hold the entire arm in place and provide range of motion in every direction. In spite of its exception mobility, the shoulder is also a weak joint that can incur tears and swelling when stressed or exposed to repetitive actions. Tears to the tendon accompanied by swelling can occur, along with the pulling away of tendons from the bone. When the tendon becomes torn in the middle, you will need to see an orthopedic doctor for what is known as a rotator cuff tear.

Some athletes are prone to rotator cuff tears including:

•    Baseball Pitchers

•    Football Players

•    Tennis Players

•    Swimmers

The injury can occur from a fall on the area, using the arm to brace yourself during a fall, or from lifting heavy weights.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

The primary symptom of a rotator cuff tear is pain which varies in intensity according to the severity of the injury. The shoulder may feel weak and tender and you may experience difficulty when you try to move the shoulder or raise your arm overhead. A torn rotator cuff can cause a snapping or crackling sound when you move your arm and it will be difficult to lie or sleep on it. If you suspect a rotator cuff tear, see an orthopedic doctor to have your injury evaluated.

The orthopedic doctor will perform a physical examination to determine if you have experienced a rotator cuff tear or some other type of injury. You will be requested to move the affected arm in different directions. The doctor will observe to see if you experience pain and in what position. X-rays and other imaging equipment might be used to allow your doctor to see the injury more clearly.

Arthrogram and Arthroscopy are two types of tests that are somewhat more invasive than typical X-rays or scans. With the Arthrogram, dye is injected into your joint so that it shows up on the X-ray or MRI more clearly. For the Arthroscopy, a tiny camera is inserted into the shoulder joint. The latter test is performed by the orthopedic doctor if you are likely to need surgery according to the results of the other tests.

Treatment

In spite of the pain associated with a rotator cuff tear, they often heal without any action on the part of the orthopedic surgeon. Rest as much as possible and apply ice two or three times daily to reduce feelings of pain and get ice. Range-of-motion exercises may be recommended by the orthopedic doctor and you may require physical therapy to increase the strength of the joint. You can get relief while you heal from taking non-prescription NSAIDs such as Motrin, Advil or Aleve. If your injury is a more severe one, you may require surgery to repair the tear. With the right amount of care and rest, you will be back to enjoying your sport in no time.

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Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.

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