1. Look at Those Muscles
Your rotator cuff is a combination of four muscles and many tendons that allow your arm to rotate. This grouping covers the head of the upper arm bone. The rotator cuff muscles hold the bone in place and rotate the arm.
2. They Move me
The tendon unit in the rotator cuff attaches to the four muscles and connects with the scapula. These combine to support the rotator cuff and help it support, lift and rotate the arm while stabilizing the ball of the shoulder in the joint. The rotator cuff allows movements such as lifting the elbow from a relaxed position so the arm is parallel to the ground and moving the wrist away from the body while holding the elbow still.
3. A Pain Under the Neck
A torn rotator cuff causes intense shoulder pain. Sometimes, a single traumatic injury causes a rotator cuff to tear, but more commonly, rotator cuff tears occur due to overuse, specifically in sports involving repetitive overhead motions. Years of activity in baseball, tennis, weightlifting and rowing may tear a rotator cuff. Because patients often confuse a pinched nerve with a rotator cuff tear, orthopedic surgeons generally order an MRI diagnose a suspected tear.
4. Enter the Knife
Older or non-active persons who suffer slight rotator cuff tears often forgo surgery for rehabilitation methods such as rest, pain medication or strength conditioning. The decision to have surgery for a rotator cuff tear depends on a variety of factors. If you are young, athletic and you need maximum arm strength or if the tear is very painful, your orthopedic specialist may decide to perform surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff. In most cases, the surgery is a simple outpatient procedure and its success depends heavily on the commitment to rehabilitation by the patient.
5. Life Without use of one arm After Surgery
Due to the drugs prescribed after surgery and the tenderness of the repaired rotator cuff, you may not be able to drive for up to two weeks. Patients wear a sling, which serves dual purposes, for several weeks. The sling immobilizes the rotator cuff, but it also serves as a warning to avoid further injuries from bumping. In an environment where there is little chance of people bumping into you, your surgeon may allow you remove the sling. For approximately four months, restrict your arm use to light lifting after surgery. Full recovery usually takes about 12 months. Rehabilitation varies depending on the person, but a rehabilitation program usually begins with passive motion and slowly transitions into active and resistive exercises. Wait until your doctor advises you that you may return to overhead work and sports activities.
