Your Shoulder's Active Anchor
You may not have thought much about your shoulder until your rotator cuff started to hurt. Now you realize what a healthy rotator cuff allows you to do. With a strong rotator cuff, your shoulder is a master of motion. When your rotator cuff is damaged, even simple movements can be painful.
When Your Cuff Is Healthy
The rotator cuff is made up of muscles and tendons that attach your upper arm to your shoulder. A healthy rotator cuff gives your shoulder strength, flexibility, and control. The muscles and tendons of the rotator cuff hold your upper arm bone (humerus) in your shoulder socket (glenoid). Your rotator cuff also assists the large muscle covering your shoulder (deltoid muscle) with movements.
The acromion is the top part of your shoulder blade.
The bursa is a lubricating sac. It helps your rotator cuff tendons slide under the acromion.
The humerus is your upper arm bone.
The glenoid is your shoulder socket.
The deltoid muscle covers your shoulder.
When Your Cuff's Had Enough
Pain told you that something was wrong with your shoulder. Rotator cuff tendons can become damaged or inflamed (tendinitis) in many ways. These include irritation (overuse), pinching (impingement), calcium deposits (calcification), and splitting (tears). Any of these conditions can make your shoulder weak, tender, and painful.
Overuse Tendinitis
Shoulder motions used during activities like golfing, pitching, or carrying luggage may cause repetitive stress within the rotator cuff. This can lead to irritation, bruising, or fraying. Any of these can cause shoulder pain and weakness in the joint.
Impingement Tendinitis
The acromion can pinch (impinge) and irritate the rotator cuff when the space between them narrows. This can happen when the cuff is weak, the bursa is swollen, or the acromion angles down too far. Impingement tendinitis can occur with repetitive shoulder activities. These include sports or jobs involving overhead reaching.
Calcification Tendinitis
Inflammation can lead to calcium deposits within the rotator cuff. This can cause pain and a loss of shoulder strength and movement.
Tears
Severe tendinitis can cause partial or complete tearing of the rotator cuff. This can result in shoulder pain, weakness, and a loss of normal movement.
This content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Only your doctor can diagnose and treat a medical problem. © 1990, 1995, 1998, 2000 The StayWell Company, 1100 Grundy Lane, San Bruno, CA 94066-3030. www.krames.com 800-333-3032. All right reserved.