Rotator Cuff Tears

There is a group of four muscles and a few tendons that form a capsule around the upper part of the arm bone. The job of this group of muscles and tendons is to both hold the arm into the shoulder socket and to facilitate rotation of the arm.

Some of the most common injuries in adults, particularly senior citizens, are rotator cuff tears. The supraspinatus muscle, or the one in the front of the arm is the one most often torn.

To understand how rotator cuff tears can affect a person’s daily life, it is first necessary to understand what purpose the rotator cuff serves, what its makeup is, and how it works…

There are four muscles in the rotator cuff: the supraspinatus, the infraspinatus, the subscapularis, and the teres minor. Each of these muscles is attached to the arm bone by a tendon. The combination of these four muscles and their respective tendons forms a covering for the top of the arm bone, sometimes referred to as a capsule or a cuff.

The shoulder is the most versatile joint in the body. The rotator cuff not only allows for forward and backward motion, but it also allows for a full circular rotation along with lateral movement.

Most rotator cuff tears occur due to deterioration in the muscles and tendons due to age and overuse. However, rotator cuff tears can also occur as a result of a traumatic injury.

In older people, deterioration is the most likely cause of rotator cuff tears. In younger people, traumatic injury and overuse from repetitive overhead work are the most common causes. Repetitive overhead work is not just occupational. Athletes are also very often at risk for torn rotator cuffs.

Physical therapy is often successful in the treatment of rotator cuff tears. In the event that physical therapy is unsuccessful, surgery is always an option, but must be followed up with physical therapy to ensure a full recovery.

Click here for more information on Rotator Cuff Tears

Popularity: 10% [?]

Technorati Tags: Rotator Cuff, Rotator Cuff Tears