Your shoulder joint is responsible for many of the functions that you can perform. These include the extension, flexion, adduction and circumduction. All movements in your upper limbs depend on your shoulder. Rotator cuff is a group of muscles and ligaments that stabilize the shoulder joint in a shallow location. If this muscle or tendon becomes damaged, we may not be able to perform our daily functions. This is known as a rotator cuff Injury.

Causes

Rotator cuff injuries can result from a variety of risk factors. However, most factors can be managed with care, proper exercise and diet. Here are some of the most common causes.

• Rotator cuff injuries are most commonly caused by age. As we get older, our bodies become weaker after 40. This makes it more likely that you will sustain rotator-cuff injuries.
• Bones spurs may also cause problems with the function of attaching muscles and tendons. If left untreated, friction between bone spurs and attached muscles can lead to this condition. It may worsen and eventually cause complete tear of the attached muscle.
• The muscles may become weaker due to decreased blood flow to the rotator cuff muscles.
• Rotator cuff injuries can also be caused by physical trauma or birth damage
• Poor lifestyle choices, such as smoking or lack of exercise, are major risk factors for muscle and tendon injury.
• Wear and tear can also be caused by poor posture or excessive use of the rotator cuff muscles, such as sportsmen.

Signs

It is initially difficult to diagnose a rotator-cuff injury. However, as the symptoms progress it becomes easier to recognize that the shoulder joint is dysfunctional due to muscle and tendon dysfunction.

• Rotator cuff injury patients most often report pain in their shoulder joints, whether they are in motion or rest.
• There is a worsening of pain from flexion extension, adduction abduction, or circumduction movements of the shoulder joints
• Incapable to move the maximum amount
• Nighttime pain that gets worse
• Generalized shoulder weakness and inability lift items

Physical therapy is used to treat the condition

A doctor will usually ask you to have surgery. However, eight out of ten cases of rotator-cuff injuries can be treated with proper physical therapy. This is the best treatment for a rotator-cuff injury. Physical therapy can be used to manage pain, improve mobility and treat other symptoms associated with rotator-cuff injuries. Your symptoms will be assessed by a physical therapist who will then prepare exercises and other therapies, such as needling or icing. This can reduce your symptoms and help to heal your rotator-cuff injury.