Rotator Cuff
A rotator cuff injury can deeply affect your daily life and cause you to lose arm mobility and functionality. The head of our team, William Ashford, MD, is an experienced orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist that serves patients in and around Athens and Loganville, Georgia. If you’re living with discomfort caused by shoulder pain, call Ashford Orthopedic Specialists today and book your appointment. Rest easy knowing you will be in the most ideal hands to treat your rotator cuff tear and restore shoulder motion.
What Is the Rotator Cuff?
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround and support your shoulder. They keep the humerus, the main bone in the upper arm, securely attached to the shoulder socket, and allow a great range of motion to your limb. When this network becomes damaged, it creates severe pain and limits the movement and overall functionality of your arm.
There are partial tears, in which there is discomfort, pain, and weakening of the tendon; and there are complete tears, when the tendon is totally separated from the bone.
What Are the Symptoms of a Rotator Cuff Injury?
A sudden rotator cuff injury can be easy to identify because it will most likely cause severe pain and immediate loss of function.
However, degenerative tearing can be identified due to:
- Pain when resting, lying down, or on your shoulder.
- Sudden pain that wakes you up.
- Discomfort when lifting your arms over your head.
- Weakness when you try to lift or rotate your arm.
The general indication is to be aware of any stiffness or painful sensation around your shoulders, especially if you practice a sport with repetitive upper arm movements, made any sudden motions recently, and/or are over 40.
How Do Rotator Cuff Injuries Occur?
Your rotator cuff can be damaged in two ways:
Acute Tears
A sudden accident or bad movement might cause an acute rotator cuff tear, like falling on your arm, lifting a heavy object without proper technique, or being involved in a motor vehicle accident. They often happen simultaneously when you dislocate your shoulder and people from any age can be affected by it.
Degenerative Tears
Over time, your tendons will degenerate naturally due to common aging symptoms. A degenerative tear of the rotator cuff might occur as a result of repeated arm motions, which makes it a common injury among tennis players and swimmers, for example. People who constantly work with overhead shoulder movements might also be prone to this type of tear, like painters or electricians.
As you age, the blood supply to the rotator cuff decreases, which makes it harder for your body to repair damage. You also become more likely to develop bone spurs that can rub on the rotator cuff. This condition is known as shoulder impingement.
“Dr Ashford has been great to work with throughout my procedure. My experience has been better than I expected. I am very pleased with Ashford Orthopedics and have and will recommend Dr Ashford for any orthopedic needs.” —Charles R.
How Do We Treat Rotator Cuff Injuries?
There are several options or pathways to healing a rotator cuff injury that will vary according to its origin, scope, and complexity. First of all, Dr. Ashford, MD, orthopedic surgeon and head of our team, will evaluate your case, the cause of your pain, and clear the way to move forward.
At Ashford Orthopedic Specialists, we usually start our rotator cuff injuries treatments with conservative measures such as special periods of rest, physical therapy, oral medications, and simpler strengthening exercises.
If your injury doesn’t improve, Dr. Ashford may also recommend platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, a form of regenerative medicine that stimulates healing in targeted areas.
When the injury is severe and the muscles and/or tendons can’t heal on their own, surgery might be needed to stitch them back together. There are several surgical options for rotator cuff injuries, such as shoulder replacement, open shoulder surgery, and shoulder arthroscopy.
How Are Our Rotator Cuff Treatments Beneficial?
A rotator cuff injury severely impacts your arm functionality. If it goes untreated, it can limit your arm’s movement and cause further damage to your shoulder joint. When you heal your rotator cuff through comprehensive treatments, you will:
- Enjoy an improved range of motion.
- Experiment less to no pain.
- Prevent more complicated surgeries.
- Reduce your risk of re-injury.
- Regain shoulder strength.
- Improve your posture.
If you are experiencing shoulder pain or have suffered an injury to your shoulder, call Ashford Orthopedic Specialists or book a personalized appointment online today.