Watching For And Treating Torn Rotator Cuff Symptoms

Though they generally occur in the middle age group, it’s not uncommon for torn rotator cuff symptoms to manifest themselves in the younger generation. Accidents, repeated strains in the muscles are some of the common causes of this problem. Though accidents are also responsible for injuring the rotator cuff, such injuries are normally quite apparent. However, problems like repeated stress syndrome where a person keeps doing tasks which put a strain on the ball and socket joint of the shoulders gradually damage the rotator cuff over time.

Typically, the first sign of these injuries are minor throbbing pains which recur periodically. In general, people shrug this pain off, often taking an over the counter pain reliever and ignoring the problem. This is a big mistake, since these people tend to continue working their shoulders, causing further damage. When the pain reliever wears off, the pain returns worse than ever, often along with restricted mobility of the affected shoulder. Other signs of a rotator cuff injury include weakness, stiffness and swelling in the injured shoulder joint. However, since gradual strain is the most common cause of this type of injury, these symptoms will show up before there is actual tearing of muscles or tendons, meaning that the worst can be averted if action is taken.

When people ignore the torn rotator cuff symptoms, they can also develop what is known as adhesive capsulitis or in common parlance called the frozen shoulder. In such a state, the patient cannot even perform common tasks like putting on their clothes or driving a car.

It is often not until torn rotator cuff symptoms become truly unbearable that many people begin to pay attention. The symptoms worsen over time as the rotator cuff becomes increasingly inflamed – and once the symptoms have worsened to this point, the condition is severe enough that it can take years to make a full recovery. Instead of letting the condition progress to this point, it’s best to pay attention to symptoms and start using a rotator cuff exercise program once you begin to experience symptoms. Taking pain relievers does nothing but temporarily mask the symptoms. This makes it all too easy to worsen the damage by continuing to strain the rotator cuff, meaning that the symptoms will return with increasing severity as the damage continues to be done.

Anyone whose work is physically demanding or is active in athletics needs to be particularly vigilant in watching for torn rotator cuff symptoms. As the inflammation worsens, symptoms such as frozen shoulder can be nearly disabling.

You’ll be able to prevent serious injury and keep torn rotator cuff symptoms from impairing your ability to live your life normally by having the problem diagnosed and treated as early as possible. A torn rotator cuff can be diagnosed using ultrasound, MRI, x-rays, physical examination and arthograms. The treatment may be as simple as ice packs or heat therapy with stretching and other exercises; or in more advanced injuries, physical therapy or even steroids may be indicated.

Tom Nicholson has spent years helping carpal tunnel sufferers. Please click here to find out more regarding having asore wrist.