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You use them for more things than you can shake a stick at! From the simple gesture of waving hello to a friend to the intricate motion of swinging a tennis racquet. Out of all the body’s joints, the shoulder is the most flexible and allows for a fluid range of upper body motion.
The rotator cuff is made up of four tendons that connect four muscles to the shoulder and upper arms. It is “the motor” of the shoulder and stabilizes the shoulder joint. If it gets tears, it can make upper body movements extremely difficult and even quite painful.
The office of Woodworth Orthopedics and Sports Medicine is skilled at the diagnosis and care of rotator cuff injuries. We’re here to help! Our team of professionals carefully evaluates our patients’ conditions and determines the best treatment plan so they can get back to living full lives.
People of all ages, particularly athletes and senior citizens, are prone to rotator cuff injuries. Strenuous workouts and sports during which the upper arm and shoulder reach over the head expose the rotator cuff to wear and tear. Damage can also be the result of repetitive erosion or the natural degeneration of the cuff tissue as a person ages.
One of the major symptoms of a rotator cuff tear is shoulder pain while lifting an arm or engaging in any kind of overhead activity. Other indicators are recurring pain when doing certain things, such as raising your arm over your head; pain that prevents you from sleeping on your injured side; grating or cracking sounds when moving your arm; limited arm mobility; and muscle weakness.
Many small or partial rotator cuff tears can be treated with anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections and physical therapy. More serious cases may require surgery to relieve pain, restore strength and return the shoulder to its full range of motion.
The office of Woodworth Orthopedics and Sports Medicine sets the standard of care for joint and bone health. We’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate orthopedic treatments. For more information about our many services, please don’t hesitate to call us today to make an appointment.
By Woodworth Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
October 30, 2023
