What is the Rotator cuff

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, keeping the head of your upper arm bone firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder.

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Symptoms:

The pain associated with a rotator cuff injury may:

• Be described as a dull ache deep in the shoulder

• Disturb sleep, particularly if you lie on the affected shoulder

• Make it difficult to comb your hair or reach behind your back

• Be accompanied by arm weakness

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Causes:

Rotator cuff disease may be the result of either a substantial injury to the shoulder or to progressive degeneration or wear and tear of the tendon tissue. Repetitive overhead activity or heavy lifting over a prolonged period of time may irritate or damage the tendon.

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Risk factors:

The following factors may increase your risk of having a rotator cuff injury:

• Age.

  •  As you get older, your risk of a rotator cuff injury increases. Rotator cuff tears are most common in people older than 40.

• Certain sports.

  •  Athletes who regularly use repetitive arm motions, such as baseball pitchers, archers and tennis players, have a greater risk of having a rotator cuff injury.

• Construction jobs. 

  • Occupations such as carpentry or house painting require repetitive arm motions, often overhead, that can damage the rotator cuff over time.

• Family history. 

  • There may be a genetic component involved with rotator cuff injuries as they appear to occur more commonly in certain families.

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Investigations:

• ultrasound

• MRI 

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Treatment:

• Conservative treatments - Rest, Ice and Physical therapy, Analgesics, Anti-inflammatories

• Steroid Injections 

• Surgery

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