What is the Rotator Cuff

What is a rotator cuff?
The rotator cuff are a group of four small muscles around the scapula (shoulder blade). These muscles have two actions – rotation of the shoulder, and holding the bones that make up the shoulder together to add stability to the joint.

How do they tear?
Rotator cuff tears usually come about when the shoulder sustains a sudden stretch or is over exerted such as a heavy lift or throwing manoeuvre. The tendons of these muscles can become torn over time, particularly if someone is very active or does a lot of manual lifting.

Why does my shoulder suddenly hurt?
Rotator cuff tears may be present for years without causing any pain or limitation. It is usually after a sudden increase in load eg. starting a new workout routine, a new sport, or after long periods of heavy load on the shoulder eg manual labour and the tendons become irritated and start to cause pain.

Does a tear repair?
The tear itself may never repair, although it is possible. Many shoulders, when imaged will have some degree of degenerative tears, regardless of pain or other symptoms. The goal of physiotherapy treatment is to strengthen around the tear to allow the intact portion of the muscle to compensate.
 
If it doesn’t repair, then how do I fix my shoulder?
Physios can conduct a physical assessment and use that information in combination with your description of your symptoms to determine the cause of your shoulder pain.
If part of a rotator cuff is torn, a physio can work with you to strengthen the remaining fibres of that muscle and tendon, as well as the other muscles in the system. Working with you, your physio will create an exercise program that combines exercises to settle pain, targeted strengthening specifically for the four rotator cuff muscles, and functional strengthening for the entire shoulder complex.

​If you have been struggling with a sore shoulder get in touch and let us help you

book now