Rotator Cuff Tear

Causes of a Rotator Cuff Tear

1. Normal wear and tear: immediately there is a poor supply of blood to the tendon of the rotator cuff, it seems to be susceptible to degeneration as a result of aging. This degeneration can be worsening when there are recurrent shoulder movements. Therefore, this condition prevalent in individuals that is above the age of 40 years.

2. Repetitive Movements: this occurs in athletes who make use of overhead repetitive movements on a regular basis. The categories of athletes that are at high risk of rotator cuff tears. However, this injury can also occur through seemingly insignificant activities, such as carrying heavy loads above your head or hanging clothes outside.

3. Trauma: single traumatic injury can also cause damage to the rotator cuff examples of which include a fall or a hard direct hit to the arm.

4. Lifting or pulling heavy objects: when you lift or pull heavy objects in a wrong direction, this has been found to result in strain or a tear to the rotator cuff muscle or tendon.

5. Poor posture: when the head and neck is Stooped forward, this causes the muscle or tendon to be strained which causes inflammation. Symptoms of rotator cuff tear

The most common symptoms of rotator cuff tears are listed below:

• Pain during rest and at night, most especially when you lie on the affected shoulder
• There is a pain when you lift and lower your arm or with particular movements
• Weakness during lifting or rotation of your arm
• Running away from particular activities simply because they cause pain
• Finding it difficult to achieve a full range of shoulder motion
• It will be difficult sleeping on the affected shoulder
• pain or tenderness when reaching overhead
• pain in the shoulder, especially at night
• progressive weakness of the shoulder
• trouble reaching behind the back

Tears that suddenly occur, such as falling, usually cause severe pain. There can be a snapping sensation and instant weakness in the hand.

Tears that are slowly evolving due to excessive use also cause pain and weakness in the hands. You may have a sore shoulder when you raise your hand or feel the pain in your arm. Initially, pain can be light and present only when you lift your hand over your head, for example, reaching into a cupboard. Prescription drugs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, can help to relieve the pain at an early stage.

As time goes on, pain can become more apparent when you are sleeping and no longer disappear with medication. You can feel the pain when you rest on the painful side at night. The pain and shoulder weakness can make routine activities such as hair combing or reach to your back becomes a much harder task.

Care must be taken as some rotator cuff tears are not painful. These tears, however, can cause hand weakness and other symptoms.

Treatment Recommended

Products recommended for swelling, redness, pain, and inflammation, and if coolness makes your pain feel better:

Ice Substitute Poultice

Bruise Relief Liniment

Muscle Therapy Massage Oil

Products recommended when swelling and inflammation are gone, but you still feel pain, stiffness, weakness, and/or sensitivity in cold and damp weather, and if heat makes your pain feel better:

Pain Relief Liniment

Tendon and Ligament Poultice

Muscle Therapy Massage Oil