Dealing With Rotator Cuff Injury
The rotator cuff is comprised of the tendons and the muscles that surround the shoulder joint. It holds the head of the upper arm bone firmly in the socket of the shoulder. An injury to the rotator cuff can lead to a dull ache in the shoulder. The ache can get worse when you sleep on the affected side. Rotator cuff injuries are common among people who have to perform repeated overhead motions in sports or jobs. For instance, carpenters, painters, tennis players, and basketball players are at high risk of sustaining rotator cuff injuries. The good news is that with the assistance of a reliable orthopedic surgeon such as Dr. Kristopher L. Downing, managing and treating rotator cuff injuries is easy. Below are some important facts that you should know about rotator cuff injuries.
Symptoms of Rotator Cuff Injuries
Rotator cuff injuries are usually associated with shoulder pain. The pain resulting from rotator cuff injuries may:
- Be dull and occurring deep within the shoulder
- Be accompanied by weakness in the arm
- Get worse and disturb your sleep when you sleep on the affected side
- Reduce the shoulder’s range of motion and make it difficult for you to perform basic tasks such as combing your hair.
Causes of Rotator Cuff Injury
Rotator cuff disease can result from a number of factors. For instance, the rotator cuff muscles and tendons may be injured due to an abnormal sudden movement. Then tendons and the muscles can also get damaged due to progressive wear and tear or degeneration. Some of the risk factors for rotator cuff injuries including:
- Age: the older you get, the more likely it is for you to sustain a rotator cuff injury
- Certain sports: Participating in some sports, such as tennis, baseball, and basketball, can significantly increase your chances of sustaining a rotator cuff injury
- Some construction jobs such as painting and carpentry can substantially increase your risk for the injury
- Family history: there is a genetic component to some rotator cuff injuries since they tend to be more common in some families than others.
Prevention and Treatment
If you are at high risk of sustaining a rotator cuff injury, you can prevent yourself from the injury by engaging in strengthening exercises. You should strengthen both the chest and the muscles found at the back of the shoulder.
If you have already been diagnosed with a rotator cuff injury, there are several ways in which it can be treated. Some conservative treatment options include injections and therapy. In more severe cases, rotator cuff injuries may call for surgical procedures.
The Bottom Line
Overall, it is apparent that the rotator cuff is quite susceptible to injuries. Therefore, if you are at a high risk of sustaining the injury, it is important for you to learn the strengthening exercises that can help you to prevent rotator cuff injuries from occurring. If you need a good orthopedic surgeon to help you with managing and treating a rotator cuff injury, Synergy Orthopedic Specialists Medical Group is an excellent facility to consider. Feel free to visit or contact them today for more information about the services that they offer.
