Rotator Cuff Injuries

When we say "rotator cuff" we are referencing a group of four tendons that come together near the top of the humerus (upper arm bone); these serve as attachments between four shoulder muscles and the body's upper arm. Now, when these and other tendons and muscles in that part of the body are all healthy, the shoulder is the most versatile joint that we have, possessing a wider range of motion than any other in the human body. However, as with all such intricate and heavily used constructs--especially biological ones--the shoulder is highly prone to injury, especially for people such as athletes.

Heavy and/or repetitious use of the shoulder can cause one or more of the tendons to become loosened from where they attach to the upper arm; this is the "torn" rotator cuff that hard-throwing baseball pitchers seem to get all the time.

People who are highly prone to getting a torn rotator cuff include:

*Pitchers and other baseball players
*Football players, especially quarterbacks
*Rugby players
*Ice hockey players
*Lacrosse players
*Tennis players
*Swimmers

But, everyday people can also tear their rotator cuffs. The most common ways of doing this are:

*Lifting something very heavy, especially if you aren't used to doing that or if the weight is heavily off-balance/uneven when you go to lift it.
*Falling and either using your arm to break your fall or landing squarely on your shoulder.

Approximately six million Americans suffer from some type and degree of shoulder injury or pain for which they seek treatment every single year. And, it's very important to realize that rotator cuff tears usually don't just suddenly happen all at once; usually, they have developed over time and then one event or action is the "final straw". This is not to say, however, that these injuries NEVER just suddenly "pop" into existence.

You can tell that you likely have a rotator cuff tear under one or more of the following conditions:

*Constant shoulder or arm pain.
*You can't sleep on that shoulder or arm.
*Tenderness or weakness in the shoulder.
*"Snap, crackle, and pop" whenever you move the shoulder.
*Significant loss of the shoulder's range of motion due to pain.

Health care professionals use MRIs, arthrograms X-rays, and arthroscopy to determine if and/or confirm that you have a torn rotator cuff.

So, what are the treatments for torn rotator cuffs?

It has been found in recent years that ultrasound therapy can help speed up recovery time and heal the cuff faster. Consult your doctor or a shoulder specialist about it. Other than that, you should:

*Rest your shoulder as much as you possibly can, perhaps even have it put into a sling for a couple of weeks.
*Take anti-inflammatory pain killers.
*Use whirlpool therapy if you have access to it.
*Ice the shoulder a few times per day.
*Apply something like Icy Hot to the shoulder when you're going to bed.
*Consult a doctor about special physical therapy for your shoulder.

If your rotator cuff injury is serious, you could need surgery. If you feel that you may have this type of injury, rest your shoulder as much as you can IMMEDIATELY and make an appointment to see a doctor right away. 

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