Rotator Cuff Injuries

Q . W hat is a rotator cuff?

A. The rota tor cu ff is a group off our small shoulder muscles which stabi liz et he shoulder joint and assist in rotating the shoulder. The four muscles that comprise the rotator cuff are supra spin at us, infra spin at us, subs ca pul ar is, and teres minor. Of these muscles, the supra spin at us is the most commonly injured muscle ofthe rota tor cuff.

Q . How do injuries occur?

A. Rotator cuff injuries are usually referred to as a rota tor cuff tears .

The causes are typically divided into two categories.

1) A rotator cuff tear can happen as a result of repeated motions( from work activities or sports) which can cause accumulated micro-trauma. Impingement of the supra spin a tuscan also len d its elf to a rota tor cuff tear.

2) Or, the tear can occur due to an acute trauma such as heavy lifting or falling with your arm outstretched.

Q . W hat are the symptom sofa rotator cuff injury?

A. Some common symptom sofa rotator cuff tear can include:

•Inability to raise your arm fully

•Difficulty lifting objects

•Increased pop ping or clicking of the shoulder

•Shoulder weakness

•Shoulder pain when moving in certain ways or when you lie on it

Q . Treatment(s ) for a rotator cuff injury A. Rota tor cu ff tea rs a re usually categorized as either partial tears or full-thickness tears. The severity of rotator cuff tear will often determine what type of treatment a physician decides to pursue. •Partial tears happen when only part of the muscle is worn through or torn. Treatment for a partial rota - tor cuff tear commonly consists of physical therapy treatment. Visits often include education and performance of exercises to strengthen the rotation cuff muscle sand address any imbalances which maybe uncovered within the shoulder girdle. Patients are also taught about the use of modalities to reduce pain or tightness of the injured area. •Full-thickness tears occur when the muscle has torn completely through. Unfortunately, a fullthickness tear requires surgical intervention. Your treatment after ward will depend on your surgeon’ s protocol. Most protocols require the patient to wear as ling for a number of weeks. Many patients can begin physical therapy a week or two after surgery. The initial treatment focuses on gradual return of full movement followed by strengthening exercises. Modalities are used as necessary to reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling. The progression of rehab following this surgery is necessarily slow due to the nature of the injury and the complexity of the shoulder girdle. Patients that have this surgery are often seen for 812 weeks. They slowly progress from passive range of motion exercises to active resistance training. After 4 to 6 months, patient may begin replicating high level functional movement patterns or sports activities with doctor approval. Full recovery from the surgery may take 6 months to a year depending on previous level of activity, condition of the muscle tissue sat time of surgery, and your body’ s adaptive response after surgery.

As with all physical therapy, in order to insure maximum progress and functional ability, the patient must perform their home exercises regula rly.