SHOULDER ROTATOR CUFF INJURIES
The rotator cuff is a group of 4 muscles which surround the shoulder joint and provide an immense amount of stability and support to the joint. They all work together to play a pivotal role in keeping the head of your upper arm bone firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder. When these muscles are torn/strained the shoulder joint can become heavily compromised and develop into a problematic shoulder.
WHAT CAUSES SHOULDER ROTATOR CUFF INJURIES?
Rotator cuff injuries are common across most ages. They are one of the most common causes of shoulder pain and are generally well treated via a Sydney physiotherapist through conservative treatment techniques such as manual therapy and rehabilitation exercises. They can occur from either acute injury and/or overuse and/or degenerative changes over time.
Acute rotator cuff injuries can be caused from:
- Fall onto the out-stretched arm
- Lifting something too heavy
- Poor technique at the gym
Overuse rotator cuff injuries can be causes from:
- Repetitive poor technique with upper body exercises at the gym
- Repetitive movements in sports such as tennis, baseball, rowing and crossfit.
- Repetitive movements at work such as hammering, painting, and even cooking.
Degenerative changes resulting in rotator cuff injuries can be caused from:
- General wearing down of the tendon over time
- Old injury to the shoulder
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF SHOULDER ROTATOR CUFF INJURIES
- Weakness of shoulder
- Pain in shoulder, not limited to front, top, back, and even down side of arm
- Pain when lying down on affected shoulder
- Pain when lifting arm in specific directions, such as rotation
- Pain when picking up objects
- Crepitus, crackling, clicking when moving shoulder in certain positions
- Pain with reaching behind back and/or out to side
- Decreased range of motion form pain and/or tightness/stiffness
- General decrease in shoulder function
- The extent and location of rotator cuff injury generally correlates to specific symptoms
DIAGNOSING ROTATOR CUFF INJURIES WITH SYDNEY PHYSIOS
If you are experiencing shoulder pain, particularly any of the symptoms outlined above, be sure to see one of your Sydney physiotherapist or book online for one of our services for further investigation and an accurate diagnosis. Rotator cuff injuries are commonly detected via a physiotherapy investigation, assessing range of motion, strength, and special tests specific to shoulder injuries, rule out other pathologies and confirming a diagnosis.
Further medical investigations such as an x-ray and MRI can be used to investigate if there may be something else contributing to your shoulder pain and/or more specific information on the extent of injury is needed, which would be used to determine rehabilitation or surgical needs.
SYDNEY PHYSIOTHERAPY TREATMENT FOR ROTATOR CUFF INJURIES
Shoulder rotator cuff injuries can be very effectively managed by your trusty Sydney physios. They will assess your lifestyle, posture, shoulder structures and identify the main causes of condition. They will then implement the most effective treatment methods for you.
The main aims of treating rotator cuff injuries should be to:
- Reduce aggravating factors such as improving posture and adjusting activities and movements.
- Decrease pain, and improve range of motion of the shoulder.
- Promote healing of damage structures.
- Improve muscular strength, control and stability.
- Prevent the injury recurring.
HOW YOU CAN HELP YOUR ROTATOR CUFF INJURY
Rotator cuff injuries can be well treated through rehabilitation exercises, which can promote the healing and recovery of the damaged structures. Our Sydney physiotherapists will assess the extent of your rotator cuff injury and design a treatment program specific to alleviating your symptoms and recovering the injured structures, returning your shoulder’s function.
If you are looking to alleviate your shoulder pain and improve your rotator cuff injury, then please look to visit one of our clinics or sign up for one of our online services for expert advice and treatment.