Rotator Cuff

What is a rotator cuff?

The rotator cuff, a combination of tendons and muscles in your shoulder, connects your upper arm bone (humerus) and shoulder blade (scapula). The rotator cuff also keeps the ball of your humerus (the humeral head) in your shoulder socket (the glenoid).

The rotator cuff allows your shoulder the greatest range of motion of any joint in your body. While this enables you to move your arms in various directions, it does mean the rotator cuff is subject to injury.

What are rotator cuff disorders?

Overuse of your rotator cuff and everyday wear-and-tear can cause different disorders. Some common rotator cuff problems include:

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendons caused by many tiny tears in the tissue.

Bursitis

Bursitis is inflammation of the bursae, small, fluid-filled sacs that form a cushion between tendons and bones.

Shoulder impingement

Shoulder impingement results from squeezed tendons that rub against the bone.

Rotator cuff tears

Rotator cuff tears are common sports injuries. They occur when you stretch the tendons and muscles too far, so the tissues rupture. They can also happen at the same time as a shoulder dislocation.

Calcific tendonitis

Calcific tendonitis is a painful calcium buildup in the rotator cuff tendons.

Treating rotator cuff injuries properly is important, as they can cause progressive weakening of your arm. You might also develop chronic problems like shoulder instability and rotator cuff arthropathy.

How are rotator cuff injuries treated?

Your provider at Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center is likely to suggest a treatment plan for your rotator cuff injury that includes:

• Resting your shoulder
• Light arm exercises
• Ice or heat
• Anti-inflammatory medicine
• Physical therapy

Steroid injections in your shoulder might be an option for rotator cuff injuries that aren't responding to front-line treatments. These shots don't cure rotator cuff problems, but they help reduce swelling and pain.

Would I need surgery for a rotator cuff disorder?

For more serious rotator cuff tears and injuries that fail to improve using other methods, the Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center team offers various forms of shoulder surgery. In many cases, they use minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to access the joint to reduce tissue damage and pain.

They may be able to repair your rotator cuff. However, if the damage is too extensive, they can perform a tendon transfer, using a tendon from another location in your body to replace the one in your shoulder.

If you're struggling with a rotator cuff injury, schedule a consultation with the experts at Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center for effective solutions to your pain. Call their office or book an appointment online today.