Do you have shoulder pain that just won’t go away? If so, it might be a sign of a rotator cuff tear. A rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons in the shoulder joint that provides stability and enables movements like raising your arm above your head. A tear can occur due to wear-and-tear over time or from an acute injury such as falling on an outstretched arm.
If you suspect you may have torn your rotator cuff, here are five signs to look for:
Pain
The pain from a rotator cuff tear typically starts gradually but can become more intense over time. It is often described as an aching or burning sensation in the shoulder area and may radiate down the arm to the elbow or hand. The pain usually worsens when attempting to lift objects overhead, reaching behind your back, pushing against resistance, or sleeping on that side at night. Pain can also be present even with normal activities, such as combing your hair or putting on a shirt without lifting your arm above shoulder level. In some cases, there may be sudden, sharp pain that occurs when rising up quickly from a sitting position while using the arms as support.
Weakness
Another symptom related to rotator cuff tears is feeling weak when attempting certain activities, such as lifting items overhead or reaching behind your back. This occurs because, without proper support from these muscles and tendons, there isn’t enough strength available, which can make everyday tasks difficult. People with rotator cuff tears will likely experience difficulty performing everyday tasks, like brushing their teeth and fastening buttons, due to a lack of strength in their arm caused by weakened muscles around the shoulder.
Limited Range Of Motion
When suffering from this condition, the range of motion will often become limited, especially during activities involving lateral or sideways movement. For instance, trying to reach up to a high shelf may become more challenging than usual if you develop stiffness around the shoulder due to tearing.
Unusual Cracking Sounds
The uneven surfaces of a torn rotator cuff rubbing together can create strange noises and sensations, similar to a cracking sound during movement. Unusual sounds along with pain usually co-occur with a rotator cuff tear in the shoulder.
Nighttime Discomfort
Rotator cuffs injuries usually result in increased levels of inflammation during nighttime hours, making sleep uncomfortable. This happens because gravity naturally pulls blood downward all day until you lay flat in bed to sleep. In this position, excess fluids and blood can build up in the area. This results in an overall increase in pain during the night.
Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment in Carmel, Indiana
Trust only a highly experienced orthopedic surgeon for the treatment of your rotator cuff tear. Dr. Stephen Jacobsen at Total Shoulder is a board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic shoulder surgeon. Dr. Jacobsen provides a range of treatment options for a torn rotator cuff, from non-surgical to surgical approaches. Dr. Jacobsen will assess your condition and recommend the best one to restore your shoulder to normal.
Total Shoulder specializes in shoulder treatments, and you can expect the most advanced treatments with us. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Jacobsen, call our office today at (317) 705-4392, or use our convenient online request form.
