Torn Rotator Cuff? Now What?
To visualize a rotator cuff tear, try the following: Find an elastic rubber band and a medium-sized rock.
In this example, the rock represents the bones in your shoulder and the rubber band represents the muscles that support your arm.
Stretch the rubber band out flat on the rock and rub it lightly until it starts to tear in the middle.
When you look at the rubber band, you'll notice a frayed area.
If you continue rubbing, the rubber band will eventually snap.
This snapping of the rubber band can be compared to a rotator cuff tear.
It takes a fairly significant force to cause a tear with the same dramatic effect that you find with the rubber band and the rock.
Luckily, the muscles in our bodies are a lot tougher than rubber bands.
Also, our body's muscles know how to heal themselves over time if the injuries are not too severe.
The primary indication of a torn rotator cuff is pain in the muscles surrounding the shoulder and the upper tip of the humerus, or arm bone.
There are three types of tears: tendonitis, chronic tears, and acute tears.
The type of pain experienced indicates the severity of the tear.
Tendonitis is a condition that can lead to chronic tear.
The muscles aren't torn yet, but they have become fragile and tender.
The pain associated with tendonitis is deep and dull and is most commonly experienced by middle-aged women.
A chronic rotator cuff tear is characterized by a dull pain that typically gets worse over time.
Sharp pain may be felt when the arm is moved at certain angles, generally ranging between 80 and 120 degrees.
This type of tear is more common in people who repetitively use their arm for activities that are stressful to the muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint.
An acute tear is characterized by a sharp pain that is felt after a sudden movement of the arm or after being hit in the arm or shoulder.
This type of injury is most often experienced by athletes or by people who suddenly exert too much pressure on their arm and shoulder muscles without properly stretching and flexing first.
If you experience any of these types of pain in your shoulder area, you should consider visiting a doctor as you could possibly have a torn one of the rotator muscles.
For more severe tears, your doctor may suggest surgery; however, the pain can often be eased with non-surgical methods of treatment.
Rest is the primary method for treating the shoulder pain.
If you overexert your muscles, you may end up enlarging the tear.
Anti-inflammatory medications are another option for easing the pain.
Wearing a sling can help prevent further damage by restricting the movements of your arm.
If you do find yourself with a torn rotator cuff, do not despair.
It does not have to be the life-altering injury that ends your sports career or keeps you from normal functioning as a human.
Your body knows how to heal itself, even if surgery is required.
The best thing you can do is to help your body by doing whatever it needs to heal.
In this example, the rock represents the bones in your shoulder and the rubber band represents the muscles that support your arm.
Stretch the rubber band out flat on the rock and rub it lightly until it starts to tear in the middle.
When you look at the rubber band, you'll notice a frayed area.
If you continue rubbing, the rubber band will eventually snap.
This snapping of the rubber band can be compared to a rotator cuff tear.
It takes a fairly significant force to cause a tear with the same dramatic effect that you find with the rubber band and the rock.
Luckily, the muscles in our bodies are a lot tougher than rubber bands.
Also, our body's muscles know how to heal themselves over time if the injuries are not too severe.
The primary indication of a torn rotator cuff is pain in the muscles surrounding the shoulder and the upper tip of the humerus, or arm bone.
There are three types of tears: tendonitis, chronic tears, and acute tears.
The type of pain experienced indicates the severity of the tear.
Tendonitis is a condition that can lead to chronic tear.
The muscles aren't torn yet, but they have become fragile and tender.
The pain associated with tendonitis is deep and dull and is most commonly experienced by middle-aged women.
A chronic rotator cuff tear is characterized by a dull pain that typically gets worse over time.
Sharp pain may be felt when the arm is moved at certain angles, generally ranging between 80 and 120 degrees.
This type of tear is more common in people who repetitively use their arm for activities that are stressful to the muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint.
An acute tear is characterized by a sharp pain that is felt after a sudden movement of the arm or after being hit in the arm or shoulder.
This type of injury is most often experienced by athletes or by people who suddenly exert too much pressure on their arm and shoulder muscles without properly stretching and flexing first.
If you experience any of these types of pain in your shoulder area, you should consider visiting a doctor as you could possibly have a torn one of the rotator muscles.
For more severe tears, your doctor may suggest surgery; however, the pain can often be eased with non-surgical methods of treatment.
Rest is the primary method for treating the shoulder pain.
If you overexert your muscles, you may end up enlarging the tear.
Anti-inflammatory medications are another option for easing the pain.
Wearing a sling can help prevent further damage by restricting the movements of your arm.
If you do find yourself with a torn rotator cuff, do not despair.
It does not have to be the life-altering injury that ends your sports career or keeps you from normal functioning as a human.
Your body knows how to heal itself, even if surgery is required.
The best thing you can do is to help your body by doing whatever it needs to heal.
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