What Causes Rotator Cuff Syndrome?

The main causes of rotator cuff injury are:

• an accident or fall
• general wear and tear with age.
• poor posture
• overloading of the joint caused by heavy lifting
• repetitive shoulder movement – from sports like volleyball, weight lifting and jobs like painting or being a mechanic

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/rotator-cuff-injury

The rotator cuff muscles fix the arm onto the shoulder blade.  The tendons of the rotator cuff are situated beneath  the bony point of your lateral shoulder – the acromion.  The acromion is designed to protect the rotator cuff – but because of postural dysfunction and poor lifting techniques – can become inflamed from recurring rubbing.

Between the acromion and the tendons is a structure called a bursa.

The sub-acromial bursa creates a buffer between the rotator cuff tendons and the bony acromion, this prevents the tendons from rubbing directly on the bone and provides a low friction surface for the tendons to glide over.  When this structure is subjected to repetitive ongoing use, it can lead to inflammation in the bursa and eventual irritation of the tendon.  This will cause shoulder pain and increasing dysfunction.

What are the Symptoms of Rotator Cuff Injury?

• shoulder pain that extend to the elbow. 
• weakness or pain when attempting to reach or lift.
• pain when putting your hand behind your back or head.
• pain or clicking when the arm is horizontal or overhead.
• pain when lying on the shoulder.
• shoulder pain at rest

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How is a Rotator Cuff Injury Diagnosed?

It is important to determine the nature of your rotator cuff injury – usually tendinopathies and bursitis occur together.  Impingement usually occurs with both of these pathologies, but it can happen independently.  Tears are usually easy to diagnose – because there will have been an acute episode – such as falling down while skiing, a football or basketball contact incident.  It can be useful to obtain ultrasound when dealing with a suspected tear in order to ascertain the severity of the pathology.

Your Myotherapist will ascertain if you have a rotator cuff injury during the assessment after discussing your history and performing a comprehensive physical examination.

X-rays are useful to determine if the shoulder is “impinged” by a spur and also to rule out several conditions including arthritis.

Ultrasound is the clinical standard for diagnosing tendon damage and bursitis associated with specific rotator cuff injuries.

MRI is useful but not necessary for the majority of rotator cuff pathologies.

How do you Treat a Rotator Cuff Injury?

Your Myotherapist will assist you in rehabilitating your rotator by:

• Early Injury Identification: Pain Relief & Anti-inflammatory Tips
• Restoring Range of Motion
• Restore Normal Shoulder Function and motor control
• Build Rotator Cuff Strength and Motor Control
• Restoration of Speed, Power and Agility
• Return to previously challenging activities – Sports and Work.

Common Rotator Cuff Injuries – Rotator Cuff Syndrome

• Rotator Cuff Calcific Tendinopathy (to any of the four rotator cuff muscles)
• Rotator Cuff Tear (to any of the four rotator cuff muscles)
• Bicep Tendinopathy
• Shoulder Impingement (Sub Acromial Impingement – SAI)
• Shoulder Tendinopathy
• Swimmer’s Shoulder
• Sub Acromial Bursitis

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