Rotator Cuff

What is the rotator cuff?

The rotator cuff is a tendon located at the upper end of your arm. Comprising 4 muscles, the rotator cuff starts from the ‘Wing Bone’. This cuff is responsible for enabling you to rotate your arm as it provides stabilization to the ball in your shoulder joint.

What is a rotator cuff tear?

Being a tendon, the rotator cuff is vulnerable to injury, which can lead to a tear. Generally, excess strain or movement of the shoulder contributes to this condition.

what are the common causes of a rotator cuff tear?

The tear may be a result of general wear and tear as you age. In some cases, a fall where the injury is directly to the shoulder may cause the condition.

How do I spot a rotator cuff tear?

A rotator cuff tear causes pain throughout your arm, emanating from the front side of your shoulder. You might be unable to raise your arm overhead, and performing any such movement will intensify the pain. Some people uncover a rotator cuff tear if they lie down on the injured side. In case the tear is caused by an injury, you will feel weakness in the arm and acute pain will set in.

What are the treatment options?

Doctors usually prescribe a combination of treatments to ensure proper healing, but the right course of treatment varies from case to case. Generally, patients are asked to take steroid injections and some anti-inflammatory medication. Physical therapy is also a common treatment. These treatments help reduce the pain in the shoulder but in a few cases, the rotator cuff doesn’t heal fully without surgery.

In addition, the pain management doctors in Chicago at Premier Pain & Spine offer both PRP therapy and stem cell procedures.

There are different surgical options available based on the extent of the injury. Whether you receive surgical or non-surgical treatment, you will have to undergo a period of rehabilitation during which you will not be allowed to use the affected arm.