The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that come together as tendons to form a "cuff" over the head of the upper arm bone. The four muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis and teres minor) originate from the shoulder blade.
The job of the rotator cuff is to lift and rotate the arm, as well as stabilize the ball in the shoulder socket.
A rotator cuff tear may result from an acute trauma, such as a fall on ice, or may be due to normal age-related wear and tear.
Commonly, you will feel pain in the front of your shoulder that radiates down the side of your arm, often when reaching overhead, sleeping or lifting with that arm.
Imaging (X-Ray and MRI) will be ordered to fully elucidate your diagnosis.
Some rotator cuff tears can be treated nonsurgically with anti-inflammatory medication, steroid injections, and physical therapy. Even though most tears cannot heal on their own, some patients can expect good function to be achieved without surgery.
If, however, you are active and use your arm for overhead work or sports, then surgery is most often recommended because many tears will not heal without surgery.
Surgery is recommended if you have persistent pain and/or weakness of your shoulder which does not improve with conservative treatment, such as physical therapy. Frequently, patients who require surgery will report pain at night and difficulty using the arm for lifting and reaching.
Surgery is also indicated in active individuals - of all ages - who use the arm for overhead work or sports. Swimmers, climbers, golfer, and tennis players are typical examples.
For more individualized feedback about your shoulder concerns, please call to schedule for a consultation: 720-726-7995
