Rotator Cuff

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tissues that act to stabilize the shoulder and are responsible for its full motion. The rotator cuff muscles are significant in shoulder movements and in maintaining shoulder joint stability.

 The Rotator Cuff Tear

A rotator cuff tear is an injury of one or more of the tissues or muscles of the rotator cuff. A Rotator cuff injury could be partial or there could be a total damage to the tissues.

Cause of Rotator Cuff Tear

The Rotator Cuff Tear may occur as the result of:

  • An unexpected force – An accident of sudden fall over the shoulder causing sudden stretch to the shoulder joint could cause a sudden tear of the rotator cuff muscles.
  • Gradually over time – The risk factors of the gradual tear are age, repetitive activities, improper nutrition and even smoking.

Symptoms of Rotator Cuff Tear

The symptoms of the Rotator tear may occur over time in case of wear and tear. It may show up suddenly when the injury is caused due to sudden tear.

  • Pain and discomfort in raising arm
  • Weakness in the shoulder
  • Inability to lift weight
  • A crack or pop sound on certain shoulder movement

Diagnosis

A person’s history with shoulder injury is checked as the part of the diagnosis. A detailed physical examination includes full hand and shoulder movement to check the full range of motion.

The physical examination is followed by:

  • X-Rays taken by putting hands/shoulder in certain position or angle.
  • MRIs to find out significant tissue stretch and tear or to check if the tissues are totally destroyed.

Symptoms of Rotator Cuff Tear

The Rotator Cuff TearTreatment includes

  • Rest to put the shoulder on immobilization for healing
  • Medication like pain killers for fast recovery and pain relief
  • Physiotherapy is a must to put the shoulder to its normal moving condition
  • Surgery in case the injury is beyond repair

A rotator cuff not treated on time may develop harder to treat conditions later in time

Recovery after Rotator Cuff Tear

The hospital stay after the stay is usually short i.e 3-4 days and a belt or sling is put on the shoulder to immobilize it. The immobilization helps the injury to heal.

The Guided physiotherapy will always be important and unavoidable in such injuries. It helps practice the movement of the shoulder to gain back its normal movement. A guided and experiences therapy is significant in each such case for quick and full recovery.

We provide you with our rehabilitation protocol which helps patient to be updated about progress of healing .

Dr. Parth Agrawal is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in upper limb treatments like Rotator Cuff Tear. He is available at The Upper Limb Clinic, Thane

The Upper Limb Clinic, Thane west, is dedicated clinic for all diseases related to Knee, Hand, Shoulder, Elbow and Wrist. Contact us today for Rotator Cuff Tearto get better and accurate treatment.