Rotator cuff injury

It is one of the commonest cause of shoulder pain. Rotator cuff is a group of muscles which work together to provide the dynamic stability to the shoulder joint.

It is one of the commonest cause of shoulder pain. Rotator cuff is a group of muscles which work together to provide the dynamic stability to the shoulder joint.

The rotator cuff muscles include -

•  Supraspinatus
• Infraspinatus
• Teres minor
• Subscapularis

Rotator cuff injuries consist of tendinopathy and tears (complete or partial) often associated with an underlying tendinopathy.

Causes -

• Sudden,powerful raising of the arm against resistance often in an attempt to prevent a fall (eg: fall on outstretched hand, lifting heavy objects).
• Athletes particularly who participate in sports like cricket, badminton, baseball, tennis, swimming, etc.
• It can happen due to fall or accident or as a result of trauma (injury).

Symptoms -

• Pain
• typically insidious onset of pain exacerbated by overhead activities.
• Night pain
• Can have acute pain and weakness with a traumatic tear.
• Weakness - loss of active ROM with greater or intact passive ROM.

Diagnosis - The clinician would perform special tests and move your arm in different directions to change the ROM.

Investigations -

• Xray
• MRI
• Ultrasound

Treatment -

RICE, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.

Strength training, performance training, conditioning, eccentric training.