Dr Swapnil Sharma, MBBS, DNB (ORTHO) - Consultant Arthroscopy Surgeon (Sports Medicine) & Joint Replacement Surgeon

+91 86033 39713
305 Nakodar Chowk,Lajpat Nagar, Jalandhar

Rotator Cuff

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons located in your shoulder joint. It plays a crucial role in the stability and movement of your shoulder. I can provide you with an interactive explanation of the rotator cuff. Please follow the instructions below:

Understanding the muscles:
The rotator cuff consists of four muscles:
– Supraspinatus: Located on the top of your shoulder blade.
– Infraspinatus: Situated on the back of your shoulder blade.
– Teres minor: Positioned beneath the infraspinatus muscle.
– Subscapularis: Located on the front side of your shoulder blade.

How to self diagnose Rotator cuff injury:

Raise your arm and touch the area where your upper arm connects to your shoulder. This is the location of the rotator cuff.
Now, gently move your arm in different directions and pay attention to any pain, weakness, or limited range of motion you may experience.
These symptoms can indicate a rotator cuff injury, which is damage or tearing of the muscles or tendons in the rotator cuff.

Types of rotator cuff injuries:

Rotator cuff tendonitis: Inflammation of the tendons in the rotator cuff, often caused by overuse or repetitive motions.
Rotator cuff tear: A partial or complete tear in one or more of the rotator cuff tendons, commonly caused by trauma, aging, or degenerative changes.

Treatment Options

Rest and activity modification: Avoid activities that worsen the pain and give your shoulder time to heal.

Ice or heat therapy: Applying ice packs or warm compresses to the affected area can help reduce pain and inflammation.

Pain medication: Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can help manage pain and reduce swelling.

Physical therapy exercises: A trained therapist can guide you through exercises that strengthen the rotator cuff muscles and improve shoulder stability and range of motion.

Corticosteroid injections: In some cases, your doctor may recommend injecting corticosteroids into the shoulder joint to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

Surgery: If the rotator cuff tear is severe or doesn’t respond to conservative treatments, surgery may be necessary. Your doctor can explain the surgical options, such as arthroscopic repair or open repair.