Rotator Cuff Injury

Due to the function of these muscles, sports which involve a lot of shoulder rotation – for example, bowling in cricket, pitching in baseball, swimming, kayaking – often put the rotator cuff muscles under a lot of stress.
Problems with the rotator cuff muscles can be classed into two categories – Tears of the tendons/muscles, and inflammation of structures in the joint.

Acute Tear

This tends to happen as a result of a sudden, powerful movement. This might include falling over onto an outstretched hand at speed, making a sudden thrust with the paddle in kayaking, or following a powerful pitch/throw.

The symptoms will usually include:

• Sudden, tearing feeling in the shoulder, followed by severe pain through the arm
• Limited movement of the shoulder due to pain or muscle spasm
• Severe pain for a few days (due to bleeding and muscle spasm) which usually resolves quickly
• Specific tenderness (“x marks the spot”) over the point of rupture/tear
• If there is a severe tear, you will not be able to abduct your arm (raise it out to the side) without assistance

Chronic Tear

• Usually found on the dominant side
• More often an affliction of the 40+ age group
• Pain is worse at night, and can affect sleeping
• Gradual worsening of pain, eventually some weakness
• Eventually unable to abduct arm (lift out to the side) without assistance or do any activities with the arm above the head
• Some limitations of other movements depending on the tendon affected

Inflammation

• More common in women aged 35-50
• Characteristic ache in the shoulder which feels like it is coming from “deep inside”
• Tenderness over particular areas, less specific than a tear
• Usually a gradual onset of pain, which “flares up” if using the arms over the head or out to the side
• Can sometimes lead to a chronic tear if untreated

When should I seek medical attention for my Rotator Cuff Injury?

Seek medical attention if:

• The pain persists for more than 2-3 days
• You are unable to work due to the pain/limitations
• You are unable to reach up or to the side with the affected arm after 2-3 days
• You are unable to move the shoulder and arm at all
• For any acute injury where you are unable to move the injured shoulder as well as the uninjured shoulder

Useful Products:

• Cold Therapy Shoulder Wrap - apply cold therapy to the injury at least 3 times a day for the first few days to ease pain and swelling.
• Heat Therapy - warmth may be useful after the first few days to ease pain.
• Shoulder Braces - help to support the shoulder and retain warmth, reducing risk of further injury.

Please see the Virtual Sports Injury Clinic for more information on how to treat a Rotator Cuff Injury