Rotator Cuff Injuries
Fremont Physiatrist for Sports Injuries
The rotator cuff is a set of muscles that supports and stabilizes the shoulder
joint. Your shoulder joint functions as a ball and socket. The rotator
cuff keeps the upper arm bone within the shoulder socket.
The four muscles that form the rotator joint are the:
- Supraspinatus
- Teres minor
- Subscapularis
- Infraspinatus
There are additional muscles that also serve to stabilize the shoulder
joint, including the deltoid and teres major. Rotator cuff injuries are
often sustained by athletes who perform frequent motions such as pitching
in baseball. Other causes may include an acute injury or as a byproduct of aging.
What Are the Symptoms of a Rotator Cuff Injury?
Some rotator cuff injury symptoms include pain and limited range of motion
in the shoulder. Over time, fluid accumulation may further inhibit movement.
Arthritis and calcium deposits can also affect your shoulder. A physiatrist
can help assess your injury—whether the tear is a complete “full
thickness” tear or a partial tear. Corticosteroid injections may
help a full thickness tear heal, while moderating activity and combining
physical therapy and medications may be sufficient for incomplete tears.
See a Fremont physiatrist at Washington Township Medical Foundation for
more information about rotator cuff injuries.