Rotator Cuff Injury Symptoms

The rotator cuff is made up of the tendons of 4 muscles. These muscles are known as the “SITS” muscles – the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. The tendons attach the muscles to four shoulder bones: the shoulder edge (scapula), top of the arm bone (humerus), and also the collarbone (clavicle.) The tendons and muscles act to support & stabilize the shoulder joint and allows the arm to maneuver up and down and rotate. The shoulder is a ball-in-socket joint; however, the ball of the shoulder is large and the socket is shallow. It might help to visualize a golf ball on a tee. Without the function from the tendons and muscles, the shoulder would easily slip from socket.

The rotator cuff tendons can degenerate with age, usually beginning around 40 years old and greatly increasing chance of injuries. Rotator cuff injuries can also be triggered from accident or trauma to the outstretched arm or joint of the elbow. Rotator cuff injury symptoms may appear immediately after any sort of accident (acute) or they might develop with time (chronic).

A rotator cuff injury is known by a number of names, including tennis shoulder, swimmer’s shoulder, or pitcher’s shoulder. Injuries to the rotator cuff including rotator cuff tears can happen frequently in athletes practicing sports that need the arm to move or bear weight overhead frequently. Rotator cuff injuries may also be present in people who perform repetitive motions using their arms whether at work or in your own home.

Common Rotator Cuff Injury Symptoms can include:

1. Raising the arm over shoulder level induces discomfort. Discomfort in lifting objects overhead or prior to you.
2. Discomfort that is generally right in front and side from the shoulder but could also radiate lower the arm or more the trapezius muscle towards the neck. The discomfort may vary from mild discomfort or aching to sharp and severe.
3. Limited versatility and mobility within the arm and shoulder.
4. Atrophy from the shoulder muscles from non-use or swelling from overuse.
5. Severe discomfort even if relaxing or leaning using the arm.
6. Crackling, clicks or another sounds when moving the shoulder or pressing it.
7. Lack of ability to boost the arm overhead without discomfort.
8. People could find themselves favoring or “protecting” the affected shoulder.
9. Weakness and functional decline in activities of everyday living for example restrictions in one’s capability to comb their head of hair, brush their teeth, dress or have a bath.
10. Poor bloodflow to the affected region.