You may take your shoulder for granted until you encounter pain while doing things like combing your hair, getting dressed, or reaching for a plate in a high cupboard. Only then do you realize how sophisticated this ball-and-socket joint is, as well as the muscles and tendons that assist it function.

At our location in Oklahoma City, our highly educated staff and pain management doctors deliver creative and successful orthopedic treatments.

Whether you're a seasoned athlete looking to improve your performance or someone searching for pain relief, we can help you achieve your objectives.

Tears in the rotator cuff

The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint, with the upper arm bone's head fitting into the socket of the shoulder blade. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that keep the upper arm stable by covering the head of the bone.

Every year, roughly 2 million people in the US suffer from rotator cuff injuries. They happen when one or more tendons rip and detach completely or partially from the upper arm bone's head.

Rotator cuff tears have a variety of causes.

A lot of things can induce rotator cuff tears. A fall or clumsily carrying anything heavy might cause an acute or abrupt tear. A torn rotator cuff can also be caused by shoulder dislocation or breaking the collarbone.

Tears are more likely to form with time as a result of use and aging. Repetitive actions, as well as bone spurs and a reduction in blood flow to the muscles and tendons, can cause issues. The risk increases with age, with people over the age of 40 being the most vulnerable.

Rotator cuff tears can cause a variety of symptoms.

If the tear comes from an acute injury, the pain might be severe, however it can be milder if it develops over time.

People will most likely feel weak and find it difficult to lift goods. It may be difficult to raise the arm, and the uneasiness may worsen at night or when the arm is resting. There may also be clicking or popping sounds.

Treatment and diagnosis

A physical exam and maybe an X-ray, MRI, or other imaging test to check if the rotator cuff is strained, frayed, or entirely torn are used to diagnose a rotator cuff tear.

Partial tears can be treated in a variety of ways, depending on their severity. Rest and a shoulder sling are among the options, as are joint injections, physical therapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and stem cell therapies.

Surgery is frequently the best option if the rotator cuff is badly or fully torn, and it can be done arthroscopically, traditionally, or robotically.

If you have a suspected or confirmed rotator cuff tear, schedule an appointment with our pain management doctors immediately to get a correct diagnosis and treatment plan and get started on the path to recovery. You can also contact our team via the website.

**Disclaimer: This blog post does not establish terms of a doctor-patient relationship and is not intended to be taken as a doctor's advice