Shoulder Rotator cuff injury
Shoulder rotator cuff injury occurs even in very peaceful occupations. Teachers, painters, tennis players suffer from this pathology. The rotator cuff is made up of a complex of muscles and tendons that move and fix the head of the humerus in the joint. If displacement occurs, a rupture or dislocation of the joint is likely. Rotator cuff injury can be acute or chronic microtrauma.
Causes of injury
A ruptured or damaged rotator cuff is most often the result of an acute injury. In this case, there is a sharp pain, hand movements are limited. Swelling of the tissues may develop. Requires professional medical attention. In some patients, a rupture of the rotator cuff of the shoulder occurs against the background of chronic microtrauma. Such pathologies can be classified as occupational risks. They are typical for athletes:
- tennis players;
- baseball players;
- rowers;
- athletes.
All of these people experience regular, increased stress on the shoulder muscles. Muscles and tendons become thinner, do not have time to recover and the likelihood of injury increases. Microtrauma is typical for those whose work is associated with raising their hands up, throwing, hitting the ball. The problem is typical for servicemen in the army and maybe the reason for the appointment of a disability.
Symptoms
With an injury to the rotator cuff of the shoulder, a person feels pain, weakness in the injured arm. The pain increases when trying to pull the arm out. In case of severe trauma and shoulder separation, it is necessary to fix the joint. Sometimes the patient cannot move his arm at all.
Often people face this problem due to general tissue degeneration. In this case, dull pain is felt. It is disturbed during sleep, with certain movements. The gap can be complete or partial. The intensity of the pain depends on the size of the gap.
Diagnostics and rotator cuff injury treatments in VA include examination, hardware studies, x-rays. The location of the pain depends on the site of injury and which tendon is damaged.
Treatment
With shoulder separation, conservative and surgical treatment is used. If the injury was sustained in military service, the VA, after verifying all circumstances, will assign the veteran a disability rating. In most cases, rotator cuff injury treatments in VA include resting, physical therapy, immobilization of the injured shoulder, and the use of pain relievers.
If conservative treatment does not help, surgery is possible. After the operation, during the recovery period, it is necessary to use an orthosis.
To schedule a consultation or request more information about available services contact the RVA Physical Therapy team by phone (804) 396 6753 Also you can visit the therapy center at 2620 A Gaskins Rd, Henrico, VA 23238, USA.