We provide this free health resource to visitors of the Community Room of SeniorSSuperStoreS in an effort to keep baby boomers, seniors and the elderly informed of matters that can affect their lifestyle.

If you have a job requiring constant overhead movements or enjoy sports like tennis, swimming and softball, you may be susceptible to injury to the rotator cuff of the shoulder. The rotator cuff is comprised of four small muscles which originate on the scapula and insert on the top of the humerus. These muscles of the shoulder include the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and supscapularis.

When contracting independently, these muscles are rotators of the shoulder. (Infraspinatus and teres minor are strong external rotators while the subscapularis is an internal rotator.) By design, the shoulder joint is a very mobile joint, but is not a very stable joint. Therefore, the primary function of the rotator cuff muscles is to provide dynamic stability to the shoulder joint. For example, when the deltoid muscle is activated to raise the arm overhead, the rotator cuff muscles hold the head of the humerus stable (against the socket) and create a downward spin of the humeral head within the joint.

The cuff itself must operate in a small space between the head of the humerus and the tip of the shoulder. Because of this position, the cuff may be impinged between those two bones, especially if the muscles are not functioning properly. If this occurs, inflammation of the tendons may occur and small tearing of the cuff may result. This is often characterized by a sharp pain in the shoulder and upper arm. Continued impingement may lead to a full thickness tear of the rotator cuff.

Symptoms Of Rotator Cuff Tendonitis

Symptoms of rotator cuff tendonitis may include a deep aching pain, primarily in the upper arm, while the problem itself originates in the shoulder. Sufferers are often unable to raise their arm overhead, or only with great pain. Sleeping on the affected side is also very painful. Since the rotator cuff contracts with every movement of the shoulder, the pain can be constant. Thus, sufferers with rotator cuff injuries may stop moving the affected arm altogether - leading to further weakness and tightness in the joint capsule. In fact, many stiff or "frozen shoulders" may begin with an injury to the rotator cuff.

Treatment Options

With early intervention, most rotator cuff problems can be treated conservatively. Your physician may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications and may recommend temporarily suspending activities which aggravate the shoulder. In some instances, steroid injections may be administered into the subacromial space, to decrease inflammation of the tendons. Physical therapy treatments may consist of modalities including iontophoresis, gentle joint capsular stretching and a gradual, progressive strengthening program for the rotator cuff muscles. If the problem is not addressed in time, the condition may worsen to the point of tearing or rupturing of the cuff. In these severe cases, surgical repair must be performed to restore function to the shoulder.

Considering the fact that early intervention presents a best prognosis for recovery, if you’re experiencing these symptoms, don’t delay by hoping your shoulder will heal itself. Please contact your family physician for a thorough evaluation.

(Courtesy of David Vaughn at Vaughn, Buchanan Shelley and Associates, Physical Therapists, in Greenville, South Carolina, phone 864-234-5842.)

By the way, we feature several both hot and cold pack products that are ideal for relieving shoulder pain in our Health Products department.