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Torn Rotator Cuff
What is a Torn Rotator Cuff?The rotator cuff is a group of 4 muscles, and their corresponding tendons, which control the use of the shoulder and arm. These muscles work closely with other muscles in the upper arm, shoulder and neck region to control all the motions of the upper limbs. The four individual muscles comprising the rotator cuff are as follows:* Supraspinatus muscle A torn rotator cuff is a common terminology used to describe injury or damage to any of these 4 muscles or their respective tendons. In theory, even overexertion can cause tiny tears in the muscles or tendons, so the name of the condition is rather broad based. When I hear ROTATOR CUFF TEAR, I think of some major damage having been done to the shoulder, but the reality of the condition is usually far less extreme. Torn Rotator Cuff DiagnosisThis condition is usually diagnosed through an initial physical exam, followed by a confirmation imaging study. Rotator cuff tears are very common and many patients have them without experiencing any shoulder pain or symptoms whatsoever. Once a positive diagnosis has been established, the doctor will usually begin a program of conservative treatment, which will escalate in invasiveness until a resolution is achieved.Rotator Cuff Tear TreatmentsThe most common conservative therapies for a rotator cuff injury are:* Physical therapy * Hydrotherapy * Pain Management Drugs * Massage Therapy If these modalities are ineffective or the patient has severe pain, the following more drastic treatments will be prescribed: * Anesthetic Injections * Surgical correction Surgery for the correction of rotator tears is a huge industry and is one of the most commonly performed of all musculoskeletal operations. Most of these surgeries are not necessary and can leave the patient with permanent functional loss. Recommendation on a Torn Rotator CuffThe shoulder is an area of much use and abuse, and it is subject to degeneration and injury, just like any other anatomical region. However, most injuries and degeneration are minor and do not cause the type of pain commonly experienced by the majority of patients. Some patients have tremendous pain even though they have minor tears in the muscles or tendons. Many of these same patients have mobility related symptoms that do not even correspond to the anatomical location of the tears. This makes the diagnosis of a rotator cuff injury as the primary source of pain a truly baffling conclusion. One thing is for sure, most patients who hear the words TORN or TEAR, in association with any body part, WILL receive an immediate and severe nocebo effect which often intensifies the symptoms. Most patients with chronic shoulder pain are actually suffering from some psychosomatic process causing their symptoms. This psychological pain is the true cause and is only using the anatomical tear as a trigger to begin a convincing display of pain.I have beat up rotator cuffs in both shoulders from years of hard training in the martial arts. I have worse degeneration there than many patients who have been diagnosed with rotator related pain and have actually undergone surgical correction. I have no pain in either shoulder. I know the facts of this condition and realize that many of the post operative patients continue to experience symptoms. Add up the evidence and you will see a clear picture of yet another structural scapegoat condition on which the majority of shoulder and arm pain is blamed. It is the exact same process doctors use to blame herniated discs, and the like, for many back pain conditions. Learn the facts. Get the knowledge. Cure the pain. No surgery required…
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