Torn Rotator Cuff Jonathan Tucci

What is a torn rotator cuff? A rotator cuff tear is when one of the four major tendons that make up the rotator cuff muscles is torn. This injury can cause any kind of damage to the rotator cuff muscles or tendons. It can also cause irritation when you bring your arm over your head and back down, when you thrust it forward or when you push things.

Types of tear Acute Tear-This tends to happen as a result of a sudden, powerful movement, such as falling over onto an outstretched hand at speed, making a sudden thrust with the paddle in kayaking, or following a powerful pitch/throw. Chronic Tear- A chronic tear develops over a period of time. They usually happen near the tendon as a result of the tendon rubbing against the overlying bone.

Who? The people who suffer from torn rotator cuffs the most are baseball pitchers, swimmer, weight lifter tennis players, quarter backs, and volleyball players. These people are the ones who get the injury most frequently due to the over use, ware and tear and constant maximum performance put on there shoulder because of their role in their sport.

Structure of the shoulder The four muscles to makeup the rotator cuff are the supraspinatus,infraspinatus, teres minor and the subscapularis. The mnemonic S.I.T.S. is often used to remember these muscles. Along with the teres major and deltoid these 6 muscles make up the scapulohumeral muscles. These six muscles combined at the shoulder to form a thick cuff over the shoulder, its primary job is to stabilize the shoulder.

Evaluating the injury Rotator cuff injuries are evaluated by determining if it is a piratical tear or a full tear, next is determining the length of the tear, and then how and when the injury had occurred.

Tests Examination- if it is swollen discolored or bruised there is a good chance of injury Touch- if the shoulder area is tender or warmth due to swelling there is a possible injury. Drop arm test- Hold your arm straight out to your side (90 degrees) with your thumb down. Lower your arm slowly. If it drops suddenly, you may have a rotator cuff tear. The touchdown test- Raise your arms alongside your ears, with your palms facing inward. Your doctor will stand behind you and push your arms forward. If you have trouble resisting this, you may have a rotator cuff tear. If tests are completely negative you may have mild tendonitis of the rotator cuff. If tests are barely positive non surgical treatment can begin. If you cant hold your arm in place for these test or have extreme difficulty there is a great possiblility of a complete tear of the rotator cuff.

Treatment options Depending on the severity of the injury and the age of the patient surgery may be a necessity or irrelevant. If the injury is not severe enough for surgery it could require physical therapy, anti inflammatory pills and cortisone injections, ice rest and a sling could be a good idea in a crowded place.

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Reference Orthopedic of LI Association Telephone: (516) Fax: (516) Postal Address: 410 Lakeville Road Suite 303 New Hyde Park, NY Electronic Mail: Questions or comments: If you feel like you have severe injury that resembles these symptoms and think it could be a rotator cuff injury please consider these doctors.

sources mhttp:// m for-rotator-cuff-disorders/healthwise--hw61982.htmlhttp://health.yahoo.com/musculoskeletal-diagnosis/physical-examination- for-rotator-cuff-disorders/healthwise--hw61982.html