You don’t truly appreciate how much you rely on your rotator cuff until it’s injured. This group of muscles and ligaments holds together the ball-and-socket joint connecting your shoulder blade and upper arm, giving your arm full range of motion.
When you suffer an injury, like a strain or tear, movements as simple as scratching your back can become painful.
While many soft tissue injuries can heal over time, the rotator cuff is complex. Care from an experienced orthopedic surgeon is essential to ensure proper healing, prevent further damage, and restore your shoulder’s full function.
If you’ve suffered a rotator cuff injury, triple board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Mark Powell and our team at Powell Orthopedics in Fayetteville, Arkansas, can help you get back to moving freely, without pain.
The rotator cuff gives your shoulder mobility and range of motion while keeping it stable. It has several key components:
This muscle is responsible for lifting your arm and is often the most commonly injured part of the rotator cuff.
This muscle allows you to rotate your arm outward, which is crucial to shoulder movement.
This smaller muscle aids in external rotation, working closely with the infraspinatus.
The largest of the rotator cuff muscles, it helps rotate the arm inward and stabilizes the shoulder joint.
These tough fibers connect the rotator cuff muscles to the bones, providing the support and stability necessary for smooth shoulder movements. Shoulder joint stability allows you to perform a wide range of movements with precision and control.
Rotator cuff injuries aren’t always as simple as tearing or not tearing. Many injuries can affect your shoulder’s support system, such as:
These injuries may cause sharp or dull pain, weakness, limited range of motion, and difficulty performing everyday tasks.
Rotator cuff injuries need professional treatment. A mild injury like tendinitis might heal over time but can increase your risk of a significant tear.
The watch-and-wait approach simply isn’t worth the risk when you’re dealing with a rotator cuff injury. Without early intervention, you can be sidelined from your favorite activities — and daily life.
Fortunately, you don’t have to jump straight to surgery. You have many nonsurgical options to treat your rotator cuff injury, including:
If you have a severe rotator cuff injury, like a tear, surgery may be your best option to restore your shoulder’s full function.
If shoulder pain has disrupted your routine, call or use the online booking tool to schedule a consultation with Powell Orthopedics today. You can rest assured that you’re in expert hands.
