Rotator cuff tears happen in the tissues that support your shoulder. Your rotator cuff is a set of tendons of four muscles that come together at your shoulder blade. These muscles wrap around the top of a bone called the humerus. This helps to hold the top part of your humerus in your shoulder socket.
Rotator Cuff InjuriesRotator cuff tears happen in the tissues that support your shoulder. Your rotator cuff is a set of tendons of four muscles that come together at your shoulder blade. These muscles wrap around the top of a bone called the humerus. This helps to hold the top part of your humerus in your shoulder socket.CausesYour rotator cuff can tear because of a sudden injury like a fall. It can also tear because of wear or use over time. This is more common as you get older. As you get older, the blood supply to your rotator cuff slowly decreases. This makes it harder for the tendons to heal. Bone spurs can also form and rub on your rotator cuff. This weakens the tendons and makes them more likely to tear.SymptomsRotator cuff injuries can be painful, but it's possible to have no symptoms at all. It depends on the extent of the tear. Some of the symptoms you might get with rotator cuff injuries include pain in the front, outer side, or top of your shoulder; sudden or worse pain with activity; less ability to move your shoulder; weakness; or clicking or popping noises when you move your shoulder.DiagnosisDuring a physical exam, your healthcare provider will look at your shoulder. He or she will look for sore areas and check your shoulder's movement and strength. Your healthcare provider might send you for imaging tests that can show tears in your rotator cuff. You may have an ultrasound or an MRI scan.TreatmentIf your rotator cuff injury is a result of wear and tear, your healthcare provider may advise resting your shoulder and applying ice or heat. You may be told to take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, or NSAIDs, for the pain. Many NSAIDs, such as naproxen and ibuprofen, are available without a prescription.As your shoulder gets better, you might be given light stretches and exercises to do. Your healthcare provider might send you to a physical therapist.If you keep having problems, your healthcare provider may inject steroid medicine into your shoulder. If your symptoms don't get any better, you may want to consider surgery. Your healthcare provider might advise surgery as a first treatment if your rotator cuff was badly injured.Things to rememberRotator cuff injuries are common, especially as you get older. Rotator cuff injuries can often be treated with rest, ice or heat, and non-prescription medicines.If your symptoms don't get better or if you've had a bad injury, you may need surgery.To reduce your risk for rotator cuff injury, stretch and warm up before you exercise. And increase your activity level slowly. If you're doing repetitive tasks, take breaks.If you have shoulder problems, talk with your healthcare provider. Together, you can figure out the source of your problems and how to treat them.What we have learnedHip pain is a common symptom of rotator cuff injuries. True or false?The answer is false. Pain in the front, outer side, or top of your shoulder is a common symptom of a rotator cuff injury. Rotator cuff injuries can often be treated with rest, ice or heat, and non-prescription medicines. True or false?The answer is true. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines can help relieve the pain.
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