What is Rotator cuff syndrome?
The rotator cuff is made up of three main muscles and tendons. It holds the top of the upper arm into the shoulder joint (socket). Rotator cuff syndrome is when one or more of these muscles are torn. With rotator cuff syndrome, the muscles may be torn a little or the whole muscle could be torn in two. Healing time depends on how bad the tear or injury is to the cuff. Most torn rotator cuffs occur in the arm that is used most.
Causes:
Rotator cuff syndrome may be caused by an injury, fall, or accident. It may happen when you fall and try to break your fall with your hand out. Throwing, heavy lifting, or falling on your shoulder may can cause this injury. Rotator cuff injuries are common in baseball, tennis, football, and skiing.
Signs and Symptoms of RTS:
Shoulder pain may be a sign of RTS. You may not be able to move your arm well, especially away from your body. Your shoulder may feel weak, numb, or tingly. Rest with ice and heat is a great way to calm down any inflammatory process that may be happening.
Care:
Care: An x-ray made be taken of the injured shoulder, but an MRI of the area may be needed to confirm the presence of RTS or other soft tissue problem. You may need to wear a sling to keep the shoulder from moving if there is significant damage to the rotator cuff. The sling may also help the shoulder to not become more damaged as you seek care. Putting ice on the shoulder may help the pain and swelling. Surgery may be needed to fix the torn rotator cuff but is not required in every case .