Matthew Gavin, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon at Inova Loudoun Hospital. He is board-certified in orthopedic surgery and has a special interest in shoulder problems, knee problems and sports injuries.
Shoulder pain is a common problem — especially if you’re an athlete or like to stay active. Often, those pains are caused by rotator cuff injuries. Every year, U.S. doctors treat millions of people with these injuries. I see them in my own practice just about every day.
How do you know whether your sore shoulder is a rotator cuff problem? Here’s what to know about these injuries — and how to prevent them.
What Causes Rotator Cuff Injuries?
First, a quick anatomy lesson: The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that attach the upper arm bone to the shoulder blade. It’s involved in any movements that involve lifting or rotating your shoulder.
When the tendons in the rotator cuff are damaged, you can experience symptoms such as:
Types of Rotator Cuff Injuries
There are two different ways that the rotator cuff can be injured.
In both cases, there’s a spectrum of rotator cuff injuries ranging from mild to more serious:
Shoulder Pain Prevention
While rotator cuff tears and strains are common, there are things you can do to prevent them:
Treating Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain can interfere with all sorts of everyday activities, from washing your hair to playing the sports you love. The good news is that most rotator cuff injuries get better with time, rest and physical therapy. For larger tears, surgery can repair the tendon and get you moving again.
When should you worry? If you fall or move the wrong way and experience sudden symptoms, it’s a good idea to see a doctor sooner than later. If the pain comes on gradually, I recommend taking it easy for a couple of weeks to see if it resolves on its own. If the pain persists, a doctor can determine whether there’s damage to your rotator cuff.
Ready to treat your shoulder pain? Inova Orthopedics experts specialize in athletic injuries, arthritis, joint replacement and all other types of orthopedic injuries. Find an Inova orthopedic specialist near you.
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