A rotator cuff is a group of tendons and muscles that wrap around the head of the humorous bone and shoulder blade to stabilize the joint. These tissues also provide a wide range of motion, allowing people to move their arms comfortably and freely. When the rotator cuff tears, it can severely limit a person's range of motion and cause a great deal of pain. The pain management specialists at Tulsa Pain Consultants may recommend a number of treatment options for patients suffering from a rotator cuff tear.
Rotator cuff tears are most commonly caused by injuries, typically as a result of overuse. Repetitive motions of the shoulder blade, like during a game of tennis or moving the arms while swimming, can injure the rotator cuff. A rotator cuff tear can also happen during a trauma if a patient has dislocated his or her shoulder. In some cases, a rotator cuff tear may be the result of natural wear and tear of the tissue.
Symptoms of a rotator cuff tear may include shoulder pain and weakness. Patients may have difficulty raising or lowering their arm, or reaching back and grabbing a seatbelt, for example. In addition, the muscles that make up the rotator cuff may experience atrophy. When patients move the shoulder, they may hear a cracking or popping sound as well.
At first, patients may want to rest their arm, apply ice to the injury, and take anti-inflammatory medication to limit pain. This is especially true if the rotator cuff tear is the result of an overuse injury. If these conservative measures are not enough to treat rotator cuff tear pain, the physicians at Tulsa Pain Consultants may suggest a steroid injection to reduce inflammation from inside the shoulder joint. This is a minimally invasive procedure that injects soothing, anti-inflammatory medication into the shoulder. A steroid injection may provide pain relief for several months. If applicable, the patient may be referred to a physical therapist that specializes in sports injuries to heal their torn rotator cuff. Throughout the process, patients may need to wear a sling to promote proper healing of the rotator cuff. In some circumstances, the patient may need to see an orthopedic surgeon to surgically repair their torn rotator cuff.
