Shoulder pain is a widespread issue. In fact, up to 70% of adults will deal with some type of shoulder pain in their lifetime. One of the most frequent causes of this pain is the rotator cuff.
If left untreated, rotator cuff pain has the potential to severely hinder your ability to perform daily tasks, as well as your quality of life. Here we discuss how rotator cuff pain occurs and what you should do to combat it.
What Is the Rotator Cuff?
Your shoulder is a ball and socket joint, and the rotator cuff consists of four muscles that help keep that joint in place. It also enables you to move your arm away from your body and overhead.
How Does a Rotator Cuff Injury Occur?
Rotator cuff injuries are common in sports and people with jobs requiring lifting things overhead frequently. Although injuries can occur acutely in an incident such as a fall, the most common way rotator injuries happen is through degradation over time. Because of this, people over 40 are most likely to suffer a rotator cuff injury.
How Do I Know If I’ve Injured My Rotator Cuff?
Some of the symptoms of an injured rotator cuff include the following.
- Dull aching in the shoulder
- Difficulty raising your arm overhead
- Weakness or struggling to life items overhead
- Popping or clicking in the shoulder
- Burning or other strange sensations in your shoulder
- Trouble sleeping on the affected shoulder
What Should I Do About My Rotator Cuff Pain?
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, the best thing to do is schedule an appointment with an orthopedic doctor at Mountain State Orthopedics to determine your best course of action. This is even more important if your shoulder pain is sudden and intense or you suspect the pain is a result of a specific incident. There are many options for treatment, but they are generally more effective if the injury is diagnosed early.
X-ray, ultrasound or MRI may diagnose the underlying issues. If the tendons are not torn, your doctor will often recommend physical therapy or steroid injections to address the pain. However, if an injury to the tendons in the rotator cuff is found, surgery may be necessary to repair the damage.
Have Shoulder Pain? Make An Appointment At Mountainstate Orthopedic Associates With Our Shoulder Specialist, Dr. Chad Micucci
Don’t wait to see a doctor for your shoulder pain. Mountainstate Orthopedic Associates, Inc. (MOA) is a leading orthopedic practice in the region. Our staff is proud of our doctors’ education and experience for each patient.
Dr. Micucci is a Shoulder Specialist at Mountainstate Orthopedic Associates, with expertise in Arthosocopy, including Rotator Cuff Repair and Shoulder Instability. If you are suffering from a shoulder injury, Dr. Micucci can develop a treatment plan to help relieve your shoulder pain.
You don’t have to live with shoulder pain. Schedule an appointment today, and let us help you get back to normal.