Who hasn’t used their shoulder at some point? Baseball, Volleyball, Football shoulders are primary movers in sports for the upper body! At the center of ALL shoulder injuries is the rotator cuff. People commonly say,” I think it’s my rotator cuff, I think I tore it.” But do you know what the rotator cuff is? Where is it located? Is it one muscle? Is it a joint? What exactly is the rotator cuff? Why is it important?
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, keeping the head of your upper arm bone firmly within the shoulder socket. It is made up of the SITS muscles:
- Supraspinatus,
- Infraspinatus,
- Teres minor
- Subscapularis
Some common injuries to the rotator cuff are impingement syndrome, strains and partial or complete tear. Some common signs and symptoms you might notice include but not limited to:
- Pain at rest and at night, particularly if lying on the affected shoulder.
- Pain when lifting and lowering your arm or with specific movements.
- Weakness when lifting or rotating your arm.
- Crepitus or crackling sensation when moving your shoulder in certain positions.
- Reduce motion
- Inability or difficulty to dress especially coats and jackets
- Overall reduction in shoulder ability
So what do you do?
Great news Physical Therapy can help! Physical therapy can increase range of motion, function, endurance, strength and get you and your shoulder back to a healthy relationship. We have plenty of success stories here at Loudoun Sports Therapy center from the advanced athlete that needs there shoulder to compete to the little boy who just wants to grab those cookies off the top shelf. So let us help you to get those shoulders up and moving.
What if I need surgery?
We can help there too! We can provide a rehabilitation program designed to help strengthen and maintain any functional movements you currently have before a surgical procedure. We will also be here from the time you complete surgery to the time you return to work and play.
Don’t let shoulder pain stop you from being the person you want to be. Rotator cuff injuries are not permanent and physical therapy should be your first stop in trying to regain those activities that are important to you in your life. Call 703-450-4300 TODAY.
