Rotator cuff injuries refer to injuries to the rotator cuff which is a group of muscles and their tendons that act to stabilize the shoulder. The muscles and tendons of rotator cuff surround the shoulder joint, keeping the head of upper arm bone firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder. A rotator cuff injury can cause a dull ache in the shoulder, which often worsens while sleeping on the involved side.
Rotator cuff injuries may be associated with a specific injury such as a fall, or it gradually deteriorates over time and is increased by the activity of the muscle, nerves or joints. The shoulder joint is a ball and socket type joint where the top part of the arm bone forms a joint with the shoulder blade. The rotator cuff holds the head of the arm bone into the scapula and controls movement of the shoulder joint. The tendons of the rotator cuff pass under a bony area on their way to attaching the top part of the arm bone. When these tendons become inflamed, they become more frayed over this area during shoulder movements. Sometimes, a bone spur may narrow the space even more. This problem is called rotator cuff tendinitis, or impingement syndrome, and may be due to:
Rotator cuff tears may occur in the following ways:
In early stages of the disease, pain occurs with overhead activities and lifting your arm to the side including activities like brushing hair, reaching for objects on shelves, or playing an overhead sport. Pain mostly occurs in the front of the shoulder and may radiate to the side of the arm. However, the pain of tendinitis or impingement syndrome always ends before the elbow. There may be pain with lowering the shoulder from a raised position. On early, this pain may be mild and occur only with certain movements of the arm. Later on, the pain may be present at rest or at night, especially while lying on the affected shoulder.
There may be weakness and loss of motion while raising the arm above your head, stiffness of the shoulder with lifting or movement. It may become more difficult to place the arm behind the back.
The pain with a sudden tear after a fall or injury is usually extreme. The weakness of the shoulder and arm may also present, along with a snapping sensation of movement.
Chronic rotator cuff tear includes a gradual worsening of pain, weakness, and stiffness or loss of motion. Most people with rotator cuff tears have pain at night. Pain that is worse at night may disturb your sleep. During the day, the pain is more tolerable and hurts more only with certain movements.
Over time, the symptoms if not addressed properly become much worse and intolerable.
KKT diagnosis of rotator cuff injuries starts with history, physical examination, and 3D spine X rays. Physical examination may reveal tenderness over the shoulder and pain may occur when the shoulder is raised overhead. There is typically weakness of the shoulder when it is placed in certain positions. If your Canadian Certified KKT Orthopedic Surgeon feels you have a rotator cuff tear, he may ask you to have one or more of the following tests:
Clinically relevant factors to keep in mind with the treatment of the shoulder, is that treatment not only requires rest but also requires that the neck and its nerve supply be restored. The KKT treatment plays an integral role in restoring the neck nerve supply by repositioning the spinal vertebras back to their normal symmetrical position thus reducing the rotator cuff injuries pain. KKT process plays a fundamental role in stimulating the connective tissues of the spine to escalate cellular regeneration. It also emphasizes on lifestyle modifications including postures and sleeping positions modifications.
KKT treatment along with individualized exercise program and lifestyle modifications, the rotator cuff can be strengthened, shoulder injuries can be rehabilitated and future occurrence can be prevented.
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