It is very common for athletes to make a trip to visit a sports medicine physician about shoulder pain. Two million patients visit a doctor for rotator cuff injuries each year and 250,000 get surgery each year in the US.
The rotator cuff is a small group of four muscles that control the ball and socket joint that make up the shoulder. It is essentially responsible for stabilizing your shoulder joint. When these muscles sustain an injury or a tear, it is often referred to as rotator cuff syndrome. Depending on the severity of the injury, the condition can be minor or extremely problematic.
In some cases, a tear can happen suddenly, but more commonly, they happen gradually over time with repetitive use. Rotator cuff injuries are most common with overhead motions such as tennis or baseball, swimming, football, weightlifting and volleyball.
Symptoms of Rotator Cuff Syndrome
There are numerous symptoms of a rotator cuff injury, but the most common ones include:
- Shoulder pain that occurs when lying on your side
- Shoulder pain that occurs at rest
- Shoulder pain that occurs when your arm is at your side or raised above your head
- Shoulder weakness
- A clicking sound when you move your shoulder
Treating Rotator Cuff Syndrome
Depending on the severity of the injury, treatment will vary. If you are experiencing shoulder pain, it’s important that you have an exam performed by an experienced physician since your rotator cuff is important for control and stability of the shoulder. While some injuries are simply treated with rest, others may require surgery or physical therapy.
Rotator Cuff Syndrome Treatment Options at HROSM
If you experience shoulder pain, the source of your discomfort may be rotator cuff syndrome. As with any orthopedic issue, it’s important you contact a physician right away.
At Hampton Roads Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, we offer various treatment options for orthopedic injuries, including shoulder injuries. We will determine the source of your pain and provide you with a personalized treatment plan to help you regain normal function of your shoulder. Visit our about page to learn more about the HROSM team or request an appointment online or via phone today by calling (757) 873-1554 .
