| As people age, tendons and muscles deteriorate | | | | * Pain while throwing objects |
| which makes them more prone to tearing. If you add | | | | If you experience three or more of these symptoms, |
| strenuous physical activity to this equation, the chances | | | | you may have a torn rotator cuff. If this is the case, |
| for the pain and discomfort of a rotator cuff injury are | | | | you should see your doctor immediately. |
| increased. Athletes who participate in sports that put a | | | | As with all other injuries, acting quickly when you |
| lot of strain on the shoulder joint, such as baseball, | | | | suspect a rotator cuff injury may make the difference |
| tennis, and swimming, are highly prone to suffering | | | | between needing medication and needing surgery. |
| from torn rotator cuffs. | | | | When you first experience the symptoms, you should |
| The group of muscles and tendons that rise from the | | | | immediately begin administering first aid using the R.I.C.E. |
| scapula, or shoulder bone, to the head of the humerus | | | | method: |
| - the shoulder joint - appear to be pretty unstable. The | | | | * R - Rest (Cease movement of the injured area.) |
| head of the humerus, or arm bone, sits on the glenoid | | | | * I - Ice (Apply ice to the injured area to reduce |
| fossa, a part of the scapula, in much the same way | | | | swelling.) |
| that a golf ball sits on a golf tee. The rotator cuff | | | | * C - Compress (Apply compression to the injury to |
| stabilizes the shoulder-arm connection. Without it, your | | | | stop internal and external bleeding.) |
| arm would simply dangle at your side. | | | | * E - Elevate (Elevate the injured area to lessen blood |
| In order to recognize whether or not you have | | | | flow and reduce pain.) |
| suffered a rotator cuff injury, it is important to be | | | | R.I.C.E. should be used merely as a method of first aid |
| aware of the symptoms. If you are starting to feel | | | | and not as a treatment plan. Some rotator cuff injuries |
| discomfort in your arm or shoulder, it is a good idea to | | | | may deteriorate if they are left untreated, so it is |
| review the following symptoms of a torn rotator cuff: | | | | important to see a medical professional as soon as |
| * Pain on the top or outer shoulder area | | | | possible. Administering R.I.C.E. can address many |
| * Pain in the shoulder area at night | | | | injuries, but it is always best to visit your doctor, |
| * Pain while raising the arm horizontally | | | | especially if symptoms persist. |
| * Pain while swinging the shoulder | | | | |