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The rotator cuff is a common source of pain in the shoulder. Pain can be the result of:

 

Tendinitis. The rotator cuff tendons can be irritated or damaged.

 

Bursitis. The bursa can become inflamed and swell with more fluid causing pain.

 

Impingement. When you raise your arm to shoulder height, the space between the acromion and rotator cuff narrows. The acromion can rub against (or "impinge" on) the tendon and the bursa, causing irritation and pain.

 

Rotator cuff pain is common in both young athletes and middle-aged people. Young athletes who use their arms overhead for swimming, baseball, and tennis are particularly vulnerable. Those who do repetitive lifting or overhead activities using the arm, such as paper hanging, construction, or painting are also susceptible.

 

Pain may also develop as the result of a minor injury. Sometimes, it occurs with no apparent cause.

 

Investigations

 

X ray of the shoulder and an Ultrasound scan or MRI scan helps to provide a diagnosis, provides information about the rotator cuff and helps in picking up any associated problems around the shoulder.

 

Treatment

 

The goal of treatment is to reduce pain and restore function. In planning your treatment, your doctor will consider your age, activity level, and general health.

 

Nonsurgical Treatment

In most cases, initial treatment is nonsurgical. Although nonsurgical treatment may take several weeks to months, many patients experience a gradual improvement and return to function.

 

Rest. Your doctor may suggest rest and activity modification, such as avoiding overhead activities.

 

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines. Drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen reduce pain and swelling.

 

Physical therapy. A physical therapist will initially focus on restoring normal motion to your shoulder. Stretching exercises to improve range of motion are very helpful. If you have difficulty reaching behind your back, you may have developed tightness of the posterior capsule of the shoulder (capsule refers to the inner lining of the shoulder and posterior refers to the back of the shoulder). Specific stretching of the posterior capsule can be very effective in relieving pain in the shoulder.

 

Once your pain is improving, your therapist can start you on a strengthening program for the rotator cuff muscles.

 

Steroid injection. If rest, medications, and physical therapy do not relieve your pain, an injection of a local anesthetic and a cortisone preparation may be helpful. Cortisone is a very effective anti-inflammatory medicine. Injecting it into the bursa beneath the acromion can relieve pain.

 

Subacromial impingement / Tendinitis / Bursitis

Symptoms

 

Rotator cuff pain commonly causes local swelling and tenderness in the front of the shoulder. You may have pain and stiffness when you lift your arm. There may also be pain when the arm is lowered from an elevated position.

 

Beginning symptoms may be mild. These symptoms may include:

 

- Minor pain that is present both with activity and at rest

- Pain radiating from the front of the shoulder to the side of      the arm

- Sudden pain with lifting and reaching movements

- Athletes in overhead sports may have pain when throwing      or serving a tennis ball

 

As the problem progresses, the symptoms increase:

 

- Pain at night

- Loss of strength and motion

- Difficulty doing activities that place the arm behind the           back, such as buttoning or zippering.

 

If the pain comes on suddenly, the shoulder may be severely tender. All movement may be limited and painful.

Dr Vinod Kumar Cochin

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Surgical Treatment

When nonsurgical treatment does not relieve pain, your doctor may recommend surgery.

The goal of surgery is to create more space for the rotator cuff. To do this, your doctor will remove the inflamed portion of the bursa. He or she may also perform an anterior acromioplasty, in which part of the acromion is removed. This is also known as a subacromial decompression. These procedures can be performed using either an arthroscopic or open technique.

 

Arthroscopic (Key-hole) technique.

In arthroscopy, thin surgical instruments are inserted into two or three small puncture wounds around your shoulder. Your doctor examines your shoulder through a fiberoptic scope connected to a television camera. He or she guides the small instruments using a video monitor, and removes bone and soft tissue. In most cases, the front edge of the acromion is removed along with some of the bursal tissue.

Your surgeon may also treat other conditions present in the shoulder at the time of surgery. These can include arthritis between the clavicle (collarbone) and the acromion (acromioclavicular arthritis), inflammation of the biceps tendon (biceps tendonitis), or a partial rotator cuff tear.

 

 

 

 

 

Dr Vinod Kumar Abu Dhabi

Shoulder Surgeon Abu Dhabi

NMC Royal Hospital

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