Rotator cuff syndrome is a common shoulder injury. The Shoulder joint, an unstable ‘ball and socket’ type joint, is controlled by the Subscapularis, Suspraspinatus, Infraspinatus and Teres minor muscles, which form a cuff around the ball of the shoulder. They control your shoulder movements in relation to your shoulder blade. When acting individually, the muscles will rotate the ball in the socket, but when functioning together they stabilise the joint and maintain the space within the joint to allow for the full range of movement, even under excessive loads.
What are the symptoms of Rotator cuff syndrome?
Each rotator cuff injury has its own symptoms, but they typically include at least one of the following:
- Aching pain on the outside of the shoulder/arm, or a sharp pain in a small spot in the front of the shoulder.
- Pain extended from the top of the shoulder to the elbow
- Aching during/after lying on the shoulder.
- Pain when putting your hand behind your back or your head
- Pain when reaching for a seat belt or typically when changing to 2nd gear
- Pain or a clicking sensation/sound when the arm is overhead or at shoulder height
- Pain that feels like it’s actually Tennis or Golfer’s elbow
- Pain or weakness when attempting to reach for, or lift something.
What causes Rotator cuff syndrome?
It is often believed that the bones around the joint are responsible for pinching the small tendons and in this way causing dysfunction, damage and pain, but this is seldom (if ever) the case. Rotator cuff tendons break down from inactivity rather than pressure. As the saying goes “Use it or lose it!” This alone is a very good reason to rehabilitate the joint before considering surgery to remove/reshape any bony elements, even if there is excessive growth reported (more often this is also a symptom of the dysfunction rather than the cause of the pain).
What is my best course of action?
In order to restore pain free and stable mobility, one needs adequate control and strength in all 4 of the rotator cuff muscles. Directly consult with your Physiotherapist who can diagnose a Rotator cuff injury in accordance with your clinical history and tests. Only if a complete tear is suspected will an ultrasound be requested before commencing rehabilitation.
The good news is that high speed, power, agility and a return to sport and work are all possible, but prior to that we would need to achieve relief from pain and inflammation; restore scapular control, normal neck and shoulder function and Rotator cuff strength …and regain your full range of motion and comfortable sleeping ability. Contact us to get your diagnosis, treatment and recovery plan underway immediately.