| How do I fix a rotator cuff injury? This is the first | | | | More often than not, treatment of these injuries require |
| question I asked my GP when diagnosed with shoulder | | | | exercise, and sometimes, even surgery. The latter is |
| Tendonitis. Before we actually touch the subject on | | | | opted to when the tear is severe and no amount of |
| fixing rotator cuff injuries, let us begin with discussing | | | | ice packs, exercise or steroids will halt the inflammation |
| the structure of the shoulder and its joint where the | | | | and deterioration of the tendons and muscles other |
| rotator cuff is situated. | | | | than immediate surgery. |
| The shoulder is composed of three bones and four | | | | Non-surgical treatments. This involves strengthening of |
| muscles. (Of course, tendons are also present | | | | the muscles that are not damaged to temporarily |
| because these allow the muscle to actually stick to the | | | | compensate for the torn rotator cuff tendons. Steroid |
| bone.) The three bones are the scapula, humerus, and | | | | injection is also an alternative, this will highly depend on |
| the clavicle. | | | | your threshold of pain. The attending physician may |
| The four muscles that make up the shoulder joint are | | | | use a corticosteroid injection to alleviate the pain and |
| the following: | | | | inflammation. |
| Supraspinatus | | | | For minor rotator cuff injuries, self-care may be |
| Infraspinatus | | | | resorted to. However, it's still advised that a visit to |
| Teres minor | | | | your local doctor be made before placing oneself |
| Subscapularis | | | | under any medication or treatment not duly |
| The muscles possess individual functions, however, the | | | | recommended by an expert. Rest and try to limit (or if |
| primary purpose of the group is to maintain the | | | | possible completely stop) lifting anything heavy for a |
| humeral head stabilized and centered on the glenoid | | | | week or until the shoulder begins to feel better. |
| fossa; or in layman's term, to keep the ball steady and | | | | The ice and heat combo can be put into play as well. |
| secured on the socket. | | | | For the first few days, you may use a make shift ice |
| Moving on, rotator cuff injuries are common, not only | | | | pack or a bag of frozen peas and position it over the |
| among athletes but to those reaching their prime as | | | | injured tendons for approximately fifteen to twenty |
| well. To be honest, all of us are susceptible to this | | | | minutes at a time. When the swelling subsides, you |
| injury. Falling accidentally on your side may cause | | | | may use hot packs for 20 minutes to relax the |
| partial tearing of the tendons. Whether it is an intrinsic | | | | tightened muscles. Of course, exercise is part and |
| or extrinsic factor, one thing is mutual - rotator cuff | | | | parcel of non-surgical treatment. Gentle exercises to |
| damage connotes pain and weakness. Baseball | | | | keep shoulder muscles limber are also suggested. |
| players will have a hard time with their throw; tennis | | | | As stated earlier, surgery is performed for large tears |
| and golf players will have a problem with their swings; | | | | or severe rotator cuff injuries. Your situation may or |
| swimmers with their strokes; and weight lifters, well, | | | | may not demand surgery be done. So be sure you |
| they will have to postpone any scheduled competition | | | | check with your local doctor to identify the ideal |
| or exhibition. | | | | treatment for your current condition. |