Rotator Cuff Injury and Treatment
Rotator cuff injuries are one of the leading causes of shoulder pain that we see in our St Petersburg patients. Most rotator cuff injuries effect the tendons that support the shoulder joint. Rotator cuff injuries happen in a number of ways including participation in sports. Baseball, tennis and swimming involve repetitive arm movement overhead and increase the likeliness of shoulder injury.
Joint degeneration from aging, inactivity and fallig the wrong way can all result in a torn or partially torn rotator cuff. Most often the rotator cuff injuries that we see are due to tendonitis and rotator cuff tears.
Rotator Cuff Injury or Not?
If you think you may have suffered a rotator cuff tear but arent really sure, here is a list of shoulder injuries and symptoms to help you identify your problem.
Sprains and Strains
A sprain is a stretching or tearing of ligaments — the tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect two bones together in your joints.
Rotator Cuff Tear
A rotator cuff tear may result from an acute injury, such as a fall, or may be caused by normal age-related wear and tear with degeneration of the tendon. Often the tear is minor can be treated without surgery.
Tendinitis
Tendonitis in the shoulder is an inflammation of the rotator cuff and/or bicep tendons. Tendinitis causes acute pain and tenderness, making it difficult to move the affected joint.
Any tendon can develop tendinitis, but you’re more likely to develop it in your shoulder, knee, elbow, heel, or wrist.
Arthritis
Arthritis is inflammation of one or more of your joints. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age.
Shoulder Instability
Instability is caused by loose joints. It can be brought on by a traumatic injury, such as dislocation, or may be a developed condition.
Shoulder Dislocation
Shoulder dislocation typically occurs during a traumatic injury, accidents or contact sports. Symptoms include an out-of-place shoulder, swelling, pain, and inability to move the joint.
Rotator Cuff Injury Treatment
We see patients with a variety of injuries and create tailored plans of treatment for each individual. For our St Petersburg patients who suffer from rotator cuff injury as a result of accident, sports or aging we have various techniques that we incorporate for each patient.
Our primary concern is to decrease the level of pain that our St Petersburg clients may be having and to eliminate any inflammation that is present. Ultrasound, heat, ice and ROM exercises may be used.
Adjustments may be performed by your chiropractor to restore the normal function and mechanics to the shoulder and surrounding areas. Massage techniques can be used to restore muscle and joint function as well as eliminate scar tissue.
When the time is right your Chiropractor will begin a strength and stretching program to improve joint stability and decrease the likelihood of future injury.
Rotator Cuff Injuries can be a scary thing. If you have pain and think you may have injured your rotator cuff, it is always best to consult with a professional. Bond Thomas Chiropractic of St Petersburg has been treating rotator cuff injuries for over a decade. Chiropractic treatment is very effective for most rotator cuff injuries and will effectively promote healing and eliminate the symptoms that cause you pain. Make sure to get in to see the Doctor as soon as possible and in the mean time ice and rest your injured shoulder area.