No joint in your body relies on soft tissue support as much as the rotator cuff, the collection of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder. A ball-and-socket joint, the shoulder is the most mobile and complex joint in your body, capable of a wide range of precise movement with considerable strength.
However, the socket is shallow to allow for great rotation, relying on the rotator cuff to hold the shoulder together. Shoulder pain can render your arm useless, and often the source of pain is a rotator cuff injury.
Our multi-specialty medical team at Doctors United, with locations in the Bronx, White Plains, Ardsley and Yonkers, New York, is composed of shoulder pain experts who are able to bring a wide range of modalities to the table for your relief.
We’ll look toward your rotator cuff as a potential culprit, reviewing your symptoms and medical history while conducting a physical examination of your shoulder. Here are five signs that your shoulder pain may be due to a rotator cuff issue.
Rotator cuff pain may be constant and dull, sudden and sharp, or a combination of both. The pain may be noticeable when you reach behind your back or over your head, and you may feel it when lying on your side at night.
Using the arm can intensify the pain and, without treatment, the base level of shoulder pain can increase, along with damage to the rotator cuff structure.
Losing range of motion in the shoulder is a common sign of a rotator cuff tear. Generally, the more severe the rotator cuff damage is, the more restricted shoulder movement becomes. You may be unable to raise your arm fully, reach across your body, or reach behind your back. Even pain-free movement could feel restricted or stiff.
Occasionally, shoulder movement produces noises or sensations. That’s normal. When these occur repeatedly with the same motion and include discomfort or pain, there’s a good chance that a rotator cuff tear is responsible.
Simple tasks that you took for granted may take more effort when you have shoulder pain from a rotator cuff injury. Your arm may feel tired when you lift a kettle to pour water, for example, an action that you thought nothing of previously.
Muscle fatigue results from tendon tears because of the additional load that muscles must bear to compensate. The normal stabilization functions of the rotator cuff are disrupted.
Not all rotator cuff tears are the result of repeated strain. A traumatic event like a contact sport injury, a fall, or a lifting incident can be enough to cause a rotator cuff tear along with its discomfort or pain.
This type of rotator cuff injury is more likely to create bruising, swelling, and sudden changes to your shoulder function. Immobilize your arm in a pain-free position and visit our office.
Contact Doctors United at our nearest location whenever your shoulder develops pain or restricted function. Call or click to book an examination with our nearest office today.
