Rotator Cuff Injury

What exactly is a Rotator Cuff Injury? It can come in many forms. Many people whilst trying to lift something too heavy for them hear a popping sound in their shoulder. For others it may be a game of rugby or some other organized sport in which they land awkwardly on their shoulder. It may present as a sharp pain in the shoulder during a game of squash. Basically a Rotator Cuff Injury is a shoulder injury. The term rotator cuff refers to all the muscles and tendons that make up your shoulder. This group of muscles and tendons connects your shoulder blade to the upper arm bone. Therefore a Rotator Cuff Injury is any injury that effects this group of muscles and tendons. It could be a strain, tear, repetitive wear or inflammation that causes shoulder pain.

There is an increased risk of Rotator Cuff Injury associated with:

1. Age – Those over the age of 40 you are at an increased risk of a Rotator Cuff Injury. This is due to wear and tear that occurs to this region over the years purely from everyday living.  
2. Occupation – If your job requires a lot of heavy lifting then you are at greater risk of Rotator Cuff Injury. A large percentage of injuries occur due to a tear or strain during this type of activity.
3. Musculoskeletal Disease – Diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis can weaken the shoulder muscles making them more susceptible to Rotator Cuff Injury.

The two most common symptoms of a Rotator Cuff Injury are pain and weakness. They may be felt immediately or if the injury is chronic and occurs due to continuous wear and tear, pain and weakness may be delayed and progressive. Most of the time, a Rotator Cuff Injury will heal on its own with self-care measures or exercise therapy. Apply heat and rest the shoulder in the early stages of injury. Massage may also help but in the long term you need to begin using the shoulder again and regaining range of movement so that the muscles do not waste.

Prevention is always better than cure so it pays to take steps to avoid a Rotator Cuff Injury in the first place. Make sure you warm up before exercise and stretch whilst you cool down. Practice safe lifting techniques if your job requires you lift or move heavy objects. Strengthening your shoulder muscles is the best way to avoid a Rotator Cuff Injury. This may be done with the aid of a personal trainer, physiotherapist or exercise therapist if you need help.