Rotator Cuff Tear
What is a rotator cuff tear?
The rotator cuff is a group of tendons and muscles in the shoulder that help lift and move your arms away from the body. It keeps the ball of your arm in the shoulder socket. A rotator cuff tear may be partial, where your tendon is still capable of attaching to your arm bone, or complete, where the tendon has completely separated from the bone.
Symptoms
- Shoulder pain the worsens with lifting or overhead motion
- Weakness or limited range of motion in the arm
- Difficulty raising or rotating the arm
- Clicking, popping, or crackling in the shoulder joint
- Pain that increases when pressure is applied to affected side
- Shoulder stiffness
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you have persistent shoulder pain that interferes with sleep or daily tasks, limited motion, or noticeable weakness that doesn't improve, or swelling, redness, or tenderness around the shoulder after a trauma.
Prevention
- Avoid repetitive overhead movements
- Ensure you use proper form when spiking and serving, ensure you have a nearly straight arm when hitting and follow through completely
- Don’t play through the pain
- Strengthen the muscles of the rotator cuff
- Posterior Shoulder Stretch
- Up-the-back shoulder stretch
- Wall Climb
- Scapular arm each
- Weighted arm raise to the side
Recovery
- RICE (rest, ice, compress, elevate)
- The more severe the tear, the more likely it is that surgery is needed
- A sling may be used for stabilization during early recovery to prevent further strain