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[R400]Rotator Cuff Injury Exercises

by Guido8 Jongbloed8, Gui

Our shoulders are an important part of our body and need taking care of if serious injury is to be avoided. Anyone who has ever sustained an injury to their shoulder will tell you that it can be extremely painful. There is a strong temptation to ignore niggling shoulder pain in the hope that it will go away by itself, if however the pain in your shoulder is constant then that is a different matter. If you are struggling with constant pain in your shoulder then this may be the result of an injury to the group of muscles that make up what is known as the rotator cuff.

The muscles and tendons in the rotator cuff are an essential part of your shoulder and enable its flexibility and its ability to move in a variety of directions. The rotator cuff is easily injured and if the injury is ignored then it will result in torn muscles, a lot more pain, and decreased flexibility. However, a rotator cuff injury can be healed in a number of different ways, more rarely the injury will require rotator cuff surgery.

Your doctor will decide whether or not you will need surgery for an injured shoulder and his decision will depend very much on the extent of the injury. Not all injuries to the shoulder are the same and they may have different causes. Most rotator cuff injuries can be categorized in the following ways:

?Chronic rotator cuff injuries ? these usually occur through repetitive movements and a continuous overworking of the muscles.
?Acute rotator cuff injuries ? severe damage can be caused to the shoulder and rotator cuff as the result of a serious fall.

While both types of injuries are painful and will need some kind of treatment this treatment may not necessarily involve a surgical procedure. In cases where the rotator cuff is injured but the muscles are not torn, surgery is only rarely recommended. If the muscles that go to make up the rotator cuff are not torn then they are very likely inflamed ? as can happen with overuse. In some cases there is no remedy as the injury will heal itself over a period of time. This takes longer in some cases than others, however you should consult your doctor who can prescribe pain killers that will help you on the road to recovery and ease the pain of the injury.

If you have an injury that has resulted in the rotator cuff muscles being torn then it is more than likely that you will need some form of surgery to remedy the injury. Where the rotator cuff muscles have been torn but the shoulder has not been operated on then it is very likely that the condition will get worse and the pain more severe over time. When this happens it affects the overall strength and flexibility of the rotator cuff and can lead to premature aging of the cuff and may result in arthritis at a later date.

Rotator cuff injury often happens due to a fall or overuse. The rotator cuff is responsible for the movement of the shoulder and is composed of the tendons and muscles. A rotator cuff injury is an injury to any of the four muscles in the shoulder. It can happen quickly and is usually associated with a specific instance. It can also be progressive and the cause may not be clearly known.

Range of the Injury

A rotator cuff injury can involve just one muscle or multiple muscles. It can be inflammation or a tear in the muscles. It can recover on its own or require surgery for repair. As you can see a rotator cuff injury can be rather minor or very serious. It all depends on just what happened to the rotator cuff.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of a rotator cuff injury is pain. It usually is a pain in the shoulder that gets worse when the arm is raised over the head. It may also get worse when carrying something heavy or when lying on the injured shoulder. For more serious rotator cuff injuries, the pain may be continuous.

Symptoms may also include weakness in the arm. The affected arm may be difficult to move and the range of motion may be limited. This can lead to a feeling of not wanting to move the arm for fear of feeling pain.

Who is at Risk

People at risk for a rotator injury include those with jobs where they are lifting heavy objects or doing repetitive movements with the arms where they are moving their arms over their head and back down. The elderly are also at high risk for a rotator cuff injury due to their weakened muscle strength and already reduced range of motion. People who are involved in certain sports may also be at a higher risk for rotator cuff injuries.

Treatment

As soon as symptoms are noticed it is important to seek medical attention. A doctor will run tests to see if you have a rotator cuff injury and how severe the injury is if you do have one. You may have an x-ray, an ultrasound or other scans to look inside your shoulder area.

Your doctor may prescribe medication and home care if your injury is not severe. Home care includes plenty of rest and immobilizing the arm. Ice and heat should be used to treat the inflammation. If your injury is severe then your doctor will want to discuss further medical treatments.

Conclusion

A rotator cuff injury can usually be treated effectively. It is all about finding the right treatment and seeking medical assistance as soon as possible. You should always follow your doctor's instructions for care so that you can help your shoulder heal quickly. Do not let a rotator cuff injury go without treatment. Any pain should be a sign that something is wrong and that you need to see a doctor. Only by getting care can you fix the problem and prevent further injury to your shoulder.

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Both Guido8 Jongbloed8 & Rex Bush, Doctor Of Jurisprudence, Attorney At Law are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Guido8 Jongbloed8 has sinced written about articles on various topics from Health, Fitness and Health. Guido Jongbloed is author of this article on . Find more information about. Guido8 Jongbloed8's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.

Rex Bush, Doctor Of Jurisprudence, Attorney At Law has sinced written about articles on various topics from Auto Insurance, Car Accidents and Legal Matters. Rex Bush is founder of Bush Law Firm near Salt Lake City, Utah where he handles personal injury cases in Utah and throughout the United States. For more information on personal injury issues visit his website:. Rex Bush, Doctor Of Jurisprudence, Attorney At Law's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.