If you are dealing with acute or chronic shoulder pain, you could be dealing with a torn or injured rotator cuff. While the rotator cuff sounds as if it is only one small piece, it is actually a set of four muscles that hold the shoulder in place along with their tendons and ligaments.
Your rotator cuff can become weakened, injured or torn for several reasons. One may be a simple byproduct of the aging process. Chronic overuse of the joint or a sudden injury may also affect this area. For example, those who use their shoulders for repetitive movements, such as painting or playing tennis, may injure this area.
Rotator cuffs can be re-strengthened or repaired in several different ways. In minor overuse injuries, physical therapy may be all that is needed to get your shoulder back to its full range of motion and strength. However, in acute injuries or major tears, you may require surgical management in order to regain the full use of your arm.
If you need surgery, you will want to schedule it as soon as possible because the aching feeling and shoulder pain associated with rotator cuff injury can be enough to disturb your sleep significantly and make it difficult to perform certain tasks for which you need the full strength of your arm. Without proper professional treatment, you can risk permanently injuring your arm by causing it to become stiff or weak.
We offer arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery at Angelo Mattalino, MD to our patients who have torn rotator cuffs. In this surgery, we are generally reattaching the tendon to the top of the upper arm bone.
If you are having dull or aching shoulder pain or discomfort, come in to Angelo Mattalino, MD in Phoenix for a consultation. We can perform diagnostic imaging and tests to determine if your rotator cuff is to blame. Contact us today to book your appointment!