Shoulder pain is common and, most of the time, it is not sinister. Shoulder pain is often caused by a rotator cuff injury. There are some tell-tale signs that you are likely to have a rotator cuff injury. We will discuss them below. Dr. Darin Bush from Mobility Spine and Sports in Fort Lauderdale, FL treats rotator cuff injuries. Read on to learn more about them.
What Is the Rotator Cuff?
The rotator cuff is a set of 4 muscles that surround the shoulder joint. These 4 muscles are called the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis.
The shoulder has the most range of motion compared to any other joint in the body. This is because other joints depend mostly on ligaments for their stability, while the shoulder depends more on muscular support, mainly from the rotator cuff. So, much greater motion is allowed in the shoulder joint, but this also makes it more susceptible to injury.
What Are Some Signs and Symptoms of a Rotator Cuff Injury?
When the rotator cuff is damaged, the problem is generally easily diagnosed by an orthopedist. Functions that the rotator cuff muscles are responsible for will cause pain or be impossible to perform. Signs and symptoms are:
- Raising your arm overhead: Difficulty and/or reaching into a cabinet or on a high shelf.
- Pain or inability to reach behind you, such as reaching into the backseat of your car, adjusting a belt buckle behind your back, or hooking a bra.
- Hearing a popping or clicking sound when moving your shoulder around.
- All-around weakness of the shoulder.
- Lack of motion and stiffness of the shoulder joint.
- Pain in the shoulder and difficulty sleeping when lying on the affected side.
How Is This Injury Treated?
Once diagnosed, the first thing you'll want to know is how it can be fixed. Well, there are quite a few options for treatment that depend on the severity of your injury. Treatment for rotator cuff injuries in Fort Lauderdale, FL includes:
- Rest and downtime. You may be advised to rest and avoid using the shoulder for a short period to allow healing to take place.
- Osteopathic manipulation: We will teach you targeted strengthening and stretching exercises, progressing them according to your ability and pain tolerance. You may also be given pain-relieving modalities, such as ultrasound and electric stimulation.
- Cortisone injections: Sometimes, a steroid injection into the shoulder joint can help
- Interventional injections
- Pain relieving and anti-inflammatory medication, both prescription and over-the-counter
- Neuromuscular reeducation
Contact Us
Listen to your body. If you think something isn't quite right with your shoulder, you're probably right. Treat rotator cuff injuries with Dr. Bush at Mobility Spine and Sports in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Call us at (954) 414-7080.