Rotator Cuff Injury: What is It and How to Recovery Without Surgery?
Shoulder pain and restricted range of motion at the shoulder joint can be due to several reasons such as rotator cuff injury, shoulder joint instability or joint internal derangement. Shoulder joint dysfunction and dysfunction of the other associated joints can be responsible for the presenting shoulder pain and limited range of movement. Impingement of the supraspinatus tendon is commonly seen in the subacromial space, which is located under the acromion and above the glenohumeral joint. Shoulder impingement syndrome present with capsular tightness, abnormal shoulder joint translation, reduced strength, abnormal scapular movement (scapular dyskinesis) and position and altered thoraco-scapulohumeral motions. Dysfunction of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, hip and knee joints due to inflexibility, muscle weakness or muscle imbalances can further compromise the shoulder joint.
Causes of a Rotator Cuff Injury
Rotator cuff injury is prevalent among athletes that are participating in overhead activities such as swimming, throwing and overhead shots in racquet sport. Instability of the shoulder joint due to recurrent subluxation may predispose the athlete to an injury of the shoulder muscles. Palpatory tenderness may be noted over the supraspinatus tendon near its insertion at the greater tuberosity of the humerus. A painful arc may be reported when the patient is actively lifting up the arm from the side of the body.
The shoulder pain normally will be more intense around 60 to 120 degrees of abduction as the sub-acromial space becomes narrower when the head of the humerus approximates the acromioclavicular joint. This will result in further impingement of the supraspinatus tendon and the surrounding soft tissues. Pain and weakness of the rotator cuff muscles can be reproduced by applying a resistance force while the patient actively contracts the muscles to create movement at the shoulder joint.
Rotator cuff injuries can be an acute, chronic or acute exacerbation of a chronic condition. Shoulder pain with sudden onset may be a muscle strain, labral damage, partial or complete tear of the tendon of the rotator cuffs. Rotator cuff tendons with disorganized matrix and scar tissue tend to be weaker, and they are more prone to injury. This can lead to swelling, inflammation, and pain around the shoulder joint. MRI of the shoulder joint is useful in determining the location of the tear or other abnormalities in the rotator cuff muscles.
Best Treatment option for a Rotator Cuff Injury
As with any injury, the best method of care is targeted non-surgical treatments. Surgical interventions are short lived. In fact, those that have opted for an invasive procedure often have a recurrence of shoulder pain for repeated injuries. The recurrence of symptoms following a surgical intervention is almost always due to the scar tissues left behind from the surgical procedure. Therefore, seek conservative treatment options for your rotator cuff injury that do not include surgical interventions
In our centers, we have clinical physiotherapists and the best teams of Chiropractors in Malaysia who have combined their skills, knowledge, and experience to bring you the best of the non-operative treatments for a rotator cuff injury. Best of all, the care we provide is painless. In addition to chiropractic and physiotherapy, our clinical research-based teams will utilize specialized therapy devices to help your recovery. Visit one of our centers to discover the best non-invasive rotator cuff injury treatment in Malaysia.