What is the rotator cuff?
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, holding the head of humerus (arm bone) firmly within a shallow socket of the shoulder providing stability, mobility and strength.
There is also a lubricating sac called bursa between the rotator cuff and the bone on top of your shoulder. The bursa allows the rotator cuff tendons to glide freely when you move your arm.
The rotator cuff muscles also help you to raise and rotate your arm and they are prone to injuries mainly wear and tear. Most tears are partial and you are more likely to have this if you have a job that requires overhead movements or if you play a sport like tennis or baseball.
What causes rotator cuff injuries?
There are two main causes of rotator cuff injuries:
Acute tear:
If you have a fall with an outstretched arm or if you lift something very heavy and quickly you can tear your rotator cuff. Injuries like fractures or dislocations can also cause a tear in the rotator cuff.
Degenerative tear:
Rotator cuff tear can happen due to oversuse. Repetitive shoulder movements during sports or during work can stress muscles and tendons causing a tear.
Aging is an other cuase of rotator cuff tear. As we get older the blood flow is decreased to the rotator cuff. Our muscles and tendons need blood supply to repair themselves and when this blood supply is not adequate then tears can occur.
Bone spurs is an other cause of rotator cuff tears. Bone spurs rub against the tendons specially when you do overhead movements. This Shoulder impingement (https://www.physiopattern.com/post/shoulder-impingement) creates friction between the tendons and the bone spur and a complete or partial tear can occur.
The most common symptoms of a rotator cuff
Symptoms of a rotator cuff may include:
Pain when you are doing certain things, such as
lifting an object overhead,
twisting movements
lying on the affected side
2. Pain at night time
3. lack of movement and stiffness
4. feeling very weak when you try to lift an object
5. cracking and clicking noises when you move your arm
Diagnosis of a rotator cuff injury
Our highly specialised physiotherapists in our clinic Physio Pattern Manchester are going to take a thorough subjective and objective examination. After this examination your therapist will be able to give you a detailed and accurate diagnosis. In some occasions you may need some diagnostic tests like an X-ray or an MRI scan.
How is a rotator cuff injury treated?
At Physio Pattern Manchester we are specialised in assessing and treating people with a Rotator cuff injuries.
At Physio Pattern Manchester we will do a thorough assessment in order to find the real cause of your rotator cuff injury. A treatment plan will be developed to ensure a speedy recovery with long term results and no recurrence. An Individualised exercise program will be prescribed to you as well.
Physio Pattern Manchester is going to use some of the modalities below as assessment and treatment tools (click on the links below for more information).
PHYSIOTHERAPY https://www.physiopattern.com/physiotherapy
NEUROKINETIC https://www.physiopattern.com/neurokinetic-therapy
MANUAL THERAPY https://www.physiopattern.com/manualtherapy
If you would like more information of how Physio Pattern Manchester can help with this condition, or to book an assessment please call
Leading Physiotherapy Provider in Manchester. Rotator cuff treatment in Manchester, Physiotherapy Treatment in Manchester city centre, Northern Quarter, Ancoats.Physio Manchester, Manchester Physio, Physio Manchester City Centre, Physiotherapy clinic in Manchester.