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Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms - EarlyDetection will Improve the outcome

By: Nick Bryant


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Rotator cuff injuries can happen in a number of different ways but the one thing that they all have in common is that the sooner that you start looking after them the better the prognosis. So how can you spot rotator cuff tear symptoms and when do you need to get professional advice.

Rotator cuff problems for the main part come about in one of three ways. You can suffer a damaging event to your shoulder. This is basically any event that causes a sudden injury. Some sports where you make sudden snapping movements with your shoulder can result in a tear to the rotator cuff. Baseball pitchers have given rotator cuff problems the name pitcher's shoulder because they are such common injuries. You might lift something that is too heavy and tear the rotator cuff. The cuff is designed to hold the arm into the socket so lifting too much can damage a weak rotator cuff. A fall or knock in an accident is also a way to damage a rotator cuff.

If the injury comes about as a result of a traumatic event then the symptoms will come on quickly and without warning. They will include pain when lifting the arm to the side or front, difficulty getting comfortable at night and weakness in the effected arm. The pain will get worse in time. One test that you can do is to have someone push gently against your arm whilst you try to move it up to the side. If this causes shoulder pain you have almost certainly damaged the rotator cuff. If the pain gets worse or carries on beyond two or three days see your doctor. An MRI scan can confirm the diagnosis.

Rotator cuff problems can also come about through wear and tear. This tends to be as we get older and is more common amongst the over forties but can also show up in anyone who does a repetitive overhead movement in their work or sports. This again will start with shoulder pain but perhaps more general than with a specific injury. This is usually caused by the supraspinatus tendon getting pinched in the subacromial space.

In simple terms, the tendon runs through a channel of bone . This tendon helps with lifting the arm to the front or side. Some of us have a smaller channel of bone than others and are more prone to this problem. As we age our posture changes which can result in problems. The tendon gets rubbed against the bone and becomes inflamed. As it becomes inflamed it starts to get trapped and rubbed more leading to a downward spiral as the tendon deteriorates. Left untreated it is possible to wear the tendon completely through.

The symptoms are similar to above but may come on more slowly with pain gradually increasing as the tendon gets more worn. Again it is vital to get an early diagnosis and treatment to avoid a more serious injury.

The good news is that most rotator cuff injuries, caught early enough, will respond to rest and exercise. It is vitally important to rest the shoulder properly, avoiding any movement that causes pain. You also need to treat the inflamed or damaged tendon with ice and anti inflammatory drugs. Once you control the inflammation the pain will reduce. Shoulder specific exercises will help to strengthen the shoulder and rotator cuff facilitating healing but should only be done after treating the inflammation. Any exercise that causes pain should be discontinued as this is a sign of further damage being done.

Rest, Ice and anti-inflammatory drugs and then shoulder specific exercises but always seek professional advice.

And remember to keep up the exercises when your shoulder is better. If you have had one shoulder injury you may well be susceptible and prevention beats cure every time.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

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