Rotator cuff injuries are the most common shoulder injuries. At Woodlands Hand To Shoulder Foot and Ankle Center, the experienced rotator cuff specialists provide the best care in their Shenandoah, Sugarland, and Humble, Texas offices. Call the office nearest to you to schedule a rotator cuff consultation or book an appointment online today.
A rotator cuff injury affects your rotator cuff — the muscles and tendons that guide and support the shoulder joint. Your rotator cuff allows you to raise your arms, reach above or behind you, and even make windmill motions.
Rotator cuff injuries can occur suddenly, but in most cases, they happen with wear and tear or repetitive overuse over a long period.
Rotator cuff injuries include:
Impingement occurs when the space between the acromion (the roof of your shoulder blade) and your rotator cuff narrows. This narrowing can cause the acromion to impinge (rub or catch) on rotator cuff tissues.
Tendonitis can occur in any of your rotator cuff tendons. It happens with tendon irritation.
Bursitis occurs when the cushioning sacs between your tendons and shoulder joint grow irritated and inflamed.
Rotator cuff tears occur in any of the four tendons in the rotator cuff. Partial tears only affect part of the tendon, while full-thickness tears go all the way through the tendon.
Any problem within your rotator cuff may lead to new issues if left untreated. For example, severe tendonitis can eventually cause a rotator cuff tear.
Rotator cuff injuries can cause symptoms including:
Rotator cuff injuries can disrupt your daily life, making regular activities and even sleeping uncomfortable or impossible.
The Woodlands Hand To Shoulder Foot and Ankle Center team diagnoses rotator cuff injuries with a physical exam, gentle shoulder manipulation, and shoulder muscle strength tests.
Rotator cuff injuries can sometimes mimic other injuries like broken shoulder and nerve entrapment, so you may need nerve conduction tests or imaging tests like X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI to make a definitive diagnosis.
Most rotator cuff injuries improve with nonoperative care like activity modifications, anti-inflammatory medication, and physical therapy.
If you have severe rotator cuff pain, you may need cortisone injections to reduce inflammation and allow you to do the necessary physical therapy.
If your pain and other issues last six months or longer, if you have a tear larger than 3 cm, or if you experience a sudden traumatic injury, the team may recommend rotator cuff surgery.
In most cases, the team uses cutting-edge minimally invasive surgical techniques to repair rotator cuff damage and restore shoulder function.
If you have shoulder pain, call Woodlands Hand To Shoulder Foot and Ankle Center or book an appointment online today.
