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Dementia and Your Loved One
3 Common Rotator Cuff Injuries And Your Treatment Options
Vickie Armstrong
Your shoulders are a part of your body that you probably don't think about very often. However, you need your shoulders in order to effectively use your arms, and shoulder injuries can have lasting impacts on many parts of your life. The most common shoulder injury is a rotator cuff injury; your rotator cuff is the collection of tendons and muscles that allow you to rotate your arm. These muscles provide a lot of support for your shoulder. Here are three common rotator cuff injuries and your treatment options.
1. Bursitis
Bursitis can develop due to trauma or repetitive motions. When you develop bursitis, the sacs that divide your muscles and bone become swollen and filled with fluid. Bursitis usually resolves on its own. If you notice that your rotator cuff feels swollen or tender, try to rest it. If you don't notice any improvement within three weeks, you should see your doctor for an examination.
2. Rotator cuff strain
Rotator cuff strain can happen when you overtax your muscles. This may be due to lifting something that was too heavy for you. When you strain your rotator cuff, it means that you've stretched the tendons and ligaments further than they were meant to go. Over-the-counter painkillers can make you more comfortable while you wait for your strain to heal. If you play sports or do work that places heavy stress on your arm, you should take a break until your shoulder heals. A shoulder sling can help you keep your rotator cuff immobile so you don't injure it further.
3. Rotator cuff tear
A rotator cuff tear is the most serious shoulder injury you can sustain. If you tear your rotator cuff, you may experience severe pain. Other symptoms include weakness in your arm and limited range of motion in your shoulder, according to Healthline. If you think you may have torn your rotator cuff, it's important that you see a doctor right away. Your doctor will manually examine your shoulder to check for tenderness and loss of strength. They may follow up with an X-ray or MRI to confirm their diagnosis.
Depending on the severity of the tear, your doctor may prescribe steroid injections or direct you to rest your arm. If the problem persists for longer than 6 months, surgical intervention may be necessary. If you need surgery, you'll be referred to an orthopedic surgeon who can repair your damaged rotator cuff. During surgery, your orthopedist will reattach your torn tendons to your arm bone.
For more information, reach out to surgeons like christophercschmidtmd.com.
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