The rotator cuff is a group of four tendons and muscles – supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis. These muscles not only provide power to the shoulder, but also stabilize the shoulder joint, keeping the head of the humerus (upper arm bone) in place against the shoulder blade. Rotator cuff injury is a tear that occurs to one or more of these four tendons or muscles.
What are the Causes and Symptoms of Rotator Cuff Injuries?
The two main causes of a rotator cuff injury are acute tears, caused by trauma such as a fall, and chronic tears which are caused by degeneration of the tendon over time. Acute tears are more noticeable because they result in immediate pain and you may experience a snapping sensation or weakness of the arm. You may have developed a chronic tear if you notice some or all of these symptoms: pain while working, lifting, or reaching over your head, pain when sleeping on the affected shoulder, or a weakness in your arm. Both chronic and acute tears can worsen if not treated properly. … read more