Symptoms of Rotator Cuff Injuries

Rotator cuff injuries are classified as either repetitive or traumatic. Repetitive injuries happen over a long period of time from overuse of the muscles in the shoulder. Traumatic injuries happen suddenly, usually as a direct result of force being applied to the shoulder. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that wrap around and over the shoulder. They can wear out from overuse, become inflamed or tear.

Acute pain

• Pain is the first and most common symptom of a rotator cuff injury. In traumatic instances, such as when force is applied to the shoulder in a fall, the muscles can tear and bleeding occurs. This causes sudden, acute pain. In such instances, the person might not be able to lift the arm at all, or only with help.

Deep pain

• In repetitive injuries, the pain usually begins as a deep soreness that is annoying but not very painful. Over time, the pain increases to a nagging soreness, then to a sharper pain that occurs when the arm is lifted up over the head. Often, the pain is ignored until it impairs a person's ability to lift the arm or to perform a duty such as pitching in a ball game.

Weakness

• Another common symptom of a rotator cuff injury is weakness in the shoulder. Even if the pain is minimal, you still might notice that you can't keep your arm lifted as long as you normally do. You might start favoring that shoulder and carrying heavy objects with the opposite arm instead. It is probable that, over time, you will lose your range of motion in that shoulder as well.

Treatment

• To treat the symptoms of a rotator cuff injury, it is important to treat the injury itself. In the case of a traumatic injury, such as a tear, the doctor will probably give you a steroid shot for the pain, as well as prescribe some pain relievers. You may even need to have surgery to repair the tear. In addition, you will need to take antibiotics to prevent infection. For repetitive injuries, your doctor might prescribe oral painkillers. In both cases, your doctor will teach you a series of exercises designed to strengthen the muscles.

Prevention

• Preventing rotator cuff injuries means taking good care of your shoulder by trying not to overuse it. Be careful when lifting heavy objects, and try not to land on it if you play full-contact sports. If you are in a profession in which you must use your shoulder often, be aware of any early pain and seek medical attention as soon as you feel pain. Early detection and treatment can be the difference between a minor issue and a lifelong problem.