Rotator Cuff injury

A rotator cuff injury can be a little devil of a shoulder injury. I consider it to be equally if not more of a pest than adhesive capsulitis. At least with the latter there is light at the end of the tunnel because of their tendency for spontaneous resolution at some time or another.

Rotator cuff injuries DO NOT READILY HEAL WITHOUT SURGERY UNLESS THEY ARE MINOR IN NATURE.

Presentation is normally following a sudden onset of severe shoulder pain during an activity. The activity does not have to be overly strenuous. It is, however, often an activity with the arm stretched away from the body which puts maximum stress on the cuff muscles in their stabilising role.

Any of the four muscles can be torn. The damaged ends are often frayed, stay pulled apart and because of the relatively poor blood suppply have little chance of healing on their own.

If the tear is incomplete and small leaving some of the muscle fibres intact then healing may be able to occur without surgery.

How do you know if you have a rotator cuff injury? Essentially you need a definitive diagnosis from an orthopedic specialist. You may possibly need a scan but this is not always necessary as often the clinical picture is clear from certain diagnostic tests. These include testing for apprehension at certain points of shoulder movement and weakness on certain movements, very often the rotation movements.

A rotator cuff injury can also have a classic and almost unique pain pattern characterised by sudden and extremely severe pain, enough to bring someone to their knees in agony. This is often precipitated by movement of the arm downwards from an elevated position.

Sleep is likely to be severely disrupted as are driving, sporting and many other activities.

GOOD ADVICE

* Get a definitive diagnosis as soon as possible. Waiting with a rotator cuff injury will only add to the problems.

* You are likely to be tired, frustrated and feel worn out with this shoulder injury, if it is severe. This is normal and only adds weight to the argument for early intervention.

* Analgesia is often necessary in the early stages of injury especially. I have found ice treatment to the joint helpful in the first few days after injury. DO NOT USE ICE HOWEVER IF YOU HAVE ANY PAST HISTORY OF OR CONCERNS OVER A HEART CONDITION.!!

If you use ice follow the guidelines you are given by your therapist or those on our own cryotherapy page. As long as you are not having any problems with the ice therapy you may continue to use this as long as you wish. It will help with the pain but it does not help to heal the damage.

* A prescribed program of maintenance exercises is beneficial after the first two or three days to prevent unnecessary loss of movement.

* Find out from your specialist whether or not you need surgery. If you do you need to know when this will be?

* Until this date you need a program of exercise to prevent any furthur problems and prepare you for surgery to maximise your recovery process after the operation.

* If you do not need surgery you will need a rehabilitation program to restore your shoulder to it's maximum level of function.

I have put together programs for those in need of surgery following a rotator cuff injury (including detailed information for both before and after the operation) and programs for those who do not need surgery. Please click here for furthur information.