| The rotator cuff is made up of a group of muscle | | | | spur and can irritate the tendons surrounding the spur |
| fibers that while very strong, are, by nature, also very | | | | and possibly cause tears in the tendons. |
| weak. Because they work to permit free rotation and | | | | Rotator cuff shoulder injuries can be caused by many |
| overhead reaching, these muscles are vulnerable to | | | | things: |
| rotator cuff shoulder injuries which are the injuries | | | | 1. Many times a sudden stress or injury to the shoulder |
| most associated with sports and physical labor jobs. | | | | can cause one of the tendons to tear. A torn rotator |
| If the fibers, tissues, bursa, and muscles in the shoulder | | | | cuff can be very minor or it can be a very major |
| become enflamed and damaged or torn, then severe | | | | injury. |
| rotator cuff injuries can occur. Rotator cuff shoulder | | | | 2. Age can be a major factor in shoulder injuries. |
| injuries have certain terms that are regularly | | | | Rotator cuff symptoms will be noticed more and more |
| associated with them: | | | | as we age because the tendons and muscles in the |
| 1. Irritation and inflammation in the bursa is called bursitis. | | | | shoulder become weaker with age, increasing the |
| The bursa is a sac filled with fluid surrounding the | | | | chances that they will become injured or torn. |
| muscles and tendons in the rotator cuff. | | | | 3. Activities that involve repetitive motion such as |
| 2. Irritation and inflammation of the tendons in the | | | | overhead reaching can strain the rotator cuff very |
| shoulder is called tendonitis. | | | | easily. |
| 3. When the tendon gets squeezed and begins to rub | | | | Repetitive motion and aging are the two biggest |
| on the shoulder blade bone, irritation and possible | | | | factors in impingement. If impingement is not dealt with, |
| tearing of the tendon occurs and is called impingement. | | | | it will eventually cause scar tissue to build up. It will also |
| 4. As we age, calcium has a tendency to build up in | | | | begin the fray the tendons, making them weak, leading |
| the joints. This calcification in the shoulder joint is called | | | | to a great chance for injury. |
| calcific tendonitis. This condition is also called a bone | | | | |