Rotator Cuff Disorders
If you have pain in your shoulder, shoulder weakness and loss of shoulder range, you may have a rotator cuff injury.
What is a Rotator Cuff?
A rotator cuff is a combination of muscles and tendons in your shoulder. They connect the upper arm bone and shoulder blade, and they also keep the ball of your upper arm bone in your shoulder socket. The rotator cuff gives you the greatest range of motion of any joint in your body.
What Are Rotator Cuff Disorders?
Normal wear and tear and overuse of the rotator cuff can cause different injuries. Some of the common rotator cuff issues include:
- Inflammation of the tendons
- Inflammation of a bursa, a small, fluid-filled sac that serves as a cushion between the tendons and bones.
- A tendon being squeezed and rubbing against the bone, also known as impingement
- Tears of the rotator cuffs
- Painful, calcium buildup in the tendons
Treating Rotator Cuff Injuries in the Seattle, WA area
Properly treating rotator cuff injuries is important. If they go untreated for too long, the arm will get weaker. Treatment options for rotator cuff injuries include:
- Resting the shoulder, but doing light exercises with the arms.
- Icing or heating the shoulder
- Using anti-inflammatory medicine to relieve pain and decrease the amount of swelling.
- Physical therapy to reduce the pain and help increase shoulder strength.
- Steroid shots in the shoulder. Though steroid shots don’t cure rotator cuff disorders, they help reduce pain and swelling.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy injections
Consult Dr. Samuel S. Koo, MD, MPH, if you think you may have a rotator cuff injury.