Rotator Cuff Injury

Hello friends! Jordan Brady and Matthew Toone here at Aspen Ridge Physical Therapy. We want to discuss one of the most common shoulder injuries that we see: a rotator cuff injury. A rotator cuff strain or tear can affect people of all ages, and can be caused by multitude of things. The rotator cuff is actually 4 individual muscles that work together to provide stability to the shoulder (muscles are called: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis). A rotator cuff injury can affect one, or many of these muscles, and we want to help you know if this is the reason for your shoulder pain.

How do I injure my Rotator Cuff?

  • Falling on your arm shoulder or hand
  • Overuse of the arm (working overhead, playing volleyball, tennis, etc)
  • Poor posture leading to poor movement patterns
  • Some type of trauma or injury where you injure your shoulder

 

What are some signs and symptoms of a Rotator Cuff strain or tear?

  • Difficulty and pain when lifting your arm in any direction
  • Tender to palpation on the outside of the shoulder
  • Overhead movements are very painful and difficult
  • May get some radiating sharp pain down the arm
  • Difficulty reaching behind you
  • Dull pain at rest, sharp pain with movement
  • Can’t lay on that shoulder

Now, there are lots of shoulder injuries that have very similar symptoms or pain presentations. It can sometimes be challenging to really know if you’ve torn or just strained your rotator cuff, or if you have some form of impingement syndrome, or any other shoulder injury. As doctors of physical therapy, we have been trained specifically in the identification of and treatment of rotator cuff injuries. Treatment starts with a personalized evaluation to identify which of the 4 muscles may be involved, and then we create a personalized plan based on your specific areas of weakness and limitations in movement. We then establish goals based on your limitations as well as your desires and what you need and want to get back to doing.

Here at Aspen Ridge Physical Therapy, we are prepared to guide you through a personalized treatment plan based on your body, your goals, and your needs. Our Doctors of Physical Therapy treat patients in all the surrounding areas from Ogden and Weber County down to Bountiful and Davis County. Call us today with any questions or to set up an appointment. You can reach us at 801-773-1350.