Shoulder pain can really ruin a Summer, or a Fall, or a Winter for that matter. People tend to tough it out in Spring, but when you have shoulder pain, it can really be a pain in the butt. Did you go for a diving play on the softball field? Did you crank that wrench just a bit too much? Maybe you just woke up for the 25th night in a row because of pain in the shoulder?? Shoulder pain comes in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes it’s a dull ache that has been there "forever" and other times people can have injuries that lead to trouble even moving the arm. The good news is that the majority of shoulder issues can be improved once we can figure out what is wrong.
Adapted from Ortho Info-AAOS
Rotator cuff injury is a common condition that affects the shoulder joint. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, providing stability and allowing for a wide range of powerful motion. When the rotator cuff becomes damaged or inflamed, it can cause pain and limit the shoulder's ability to move properly. At times, the pain can be so bad that getting dressed, reaching overhead or across the body and even sleeping can be very difficult and painful.
Adapted from Ortho Info- AAOS
Things that you may feel with a rotator cuff injury may include pain in the shoulder that worsens with movement, weakness in the affected shoulder, and difficulty lifting or reaching overhead. The pain is often over the side of the arm and it can travel up into the neck and down the arm. In some cases, patients may also experience a clicking or popping sensation in the shoulder joint. A numb feeling can travel down the arm and into your hand at times. These sensations can range from mild to severe, depending on the extent of the damage to the rotator cuff.
Figuring out what kind of rotator cuff injury is present usually involves a physical examination by a healthcare provider, as well as imaging tests such as X-rays, ultrasounds or MRI scans. These tests can help determine the extent of the damage to the rotator cuff and guide treatment options.
Treatment options for rotator cuff pathology depend on the severity of the condition. In mild cases, conservative treatments such as rest, ice, and physical therapy may be recommended to help reduce pain and improve range of motion. The exercises that physical therapists use to help patients with rotator cuff injury are easy to learn and can become easy to do on your own. These exercises help to strengthen the rotator cuff in a way that more traditional training programs sometimes ignore. If patient’s consistently go to therapy and do their exercises at home, a successful outcome without surgery can often occur.
In more severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to repair the damaged rotator cuff. This can involve arthroscopic or open surgery to remove damaged tissue or a more invasive procedure to repair torn tendons. An arthroscopic surgery involves making small incisions around the shoulder and placing a camera inside the shoulder so that the surgeon can directly see the damage to the rotator cuff and repair it. Sometimes surgeons will make a small incision to open up the shoulder and look at the damaged cuff and repair it. Both methods have pros and cons and typically result in good to excellent results for patients.
The outcomes of treatment for rotator cuff pathology can vary depending on the individual and the extent of the damage to the rotator cuff. In many cases, conservative treatments such as physical therapy can help improve symptoms and restore function to the shoulder joint. However, in more severe cases, surgery may be necessary to fully repair the rotator cuff and restore shoulder function. With proper treatment and rehabilitation, many patients are able to regain full use of their shoulder and return to their normal activities. Recovery from surgery typically takes 3-6 months to fully recover, but people tend to be able to take care of themselves and resume light activities within 2 weeks of surgery.
In conclusion, rotator cuff pathology is a common condition that can cause pain and limited mobility in the shoulder joint. By recognizing the symptoms and seeking prompt medical attention, individuals can receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment to help alleviate pain and restore function to the shoulder.