Some jobs and activities require making certain arm movements that can easily provoke an injury. The rotator cuff tear is one of the most common, which mainly affects people who frequently use overhead motions with their arms. These types of injuries are more likely to happen as you age. However, people working in physically demanding jobs could get them much earlier (such as painters, carpenters, farmers, athletes, among others). This blog will explain what this injury entails, its symptoms, and how to tell if you might be suffering from it.
The rotator cuff muscles are a group of four muscles that help in the general movement and rotation motions of the shoulder and arm. When one or more tendons of the rotator cuff tear, the affected tendons will no longer be fully attached to the upper arm bone (humerus). There are two possibilities with this injury:
The tendon only has a partial tear, which damages it but does not entirely sever it.
The tendon is completely separated from the bone.
In both cases, the tear can happen in different ways. You might get it from abruptly injuring your shoulder by falling, lifting something heavy too quickly, or having an accident, or it might wear down over time. The latter can happen due to occupation, bone overgrowth in the shoulder, family history, athletics, poor blood circulation, and aging.
Depending on how the tearing happened and how severe it is, it might not be apparent that you have it at first. Partial tears or worn down tendons could cause an easily dismissable dull ache or only occasional pain. However, here are some of the symptoms you should be aware of:
Rotator cuff tears might make you feel pain in the area every time you move your arm a certain way. Locking or crackling sensations as you rotate your shoulder are also not uncommon. The pain continues even after short periods of relief after taking painkillers.
It limits your movement and ability to control your arm. You might notice that you can no longer move your arm in certain directions when you have never had a problem doing it before. Pay special attention to your normal range of motion with your shoulder and arm, so you have a frame of reference.
When trying to sleep, you might feel pain in your shoulder area. Laying on the injured arm or shoulder is unbearable. The pain does not stop by either resting the arm in a different position or taking painkillers.
A rotator cuff injury will weaken both your shoulder and its connected arm, so doing daily activities will become a difficult task. Motions as simple as combing your hair or reaching for something on a cupboard would hurt. As an athlete, you might be restricted from engaging in your sport.
If left untreated, the injury might turn your shoulder joint stiff, making it difficult to move your arm and making treatment harder to achieve.
No matter how small a rotator cuff tear might seem, it is best to visit your doctor at its first signs. Although they might not pose a problem initially, shoulder injuries can become a serious issue when left untreated. If you are looking for a shoulder pain specialist in Metairie, Louisiana, then Orthopedic Center for Sports Medicine is your best choice. Our expert team of fellowship-trained, board-certified physicians will ensure you get the highest quality care during your treatment. An injury should not stop you from living your life. Get in touch with us! Book an appointment online or call 504-217-5319 today.
