Rotator Cuff Tear and Surgery? What is a rotator cuff tear?
The shoulder joint itself is surrounded by muscles, and in fact, most of the structural support is provided by these muscles. The rotator cuff is comprised of four muscles that run from the shoulder blade to the top of the arm bone, which act to support and move the shoulder joint. A rotator cuff tear is when the tendons which connect these muscles to the bone become irritated and painful. This typically occurs from two mechanisms, either a traumatic event (lifting something too heavy, falling) or an overuse injury resulting in repeated microtrauma. This can occur from months to years of use over time.
Should I be concerned and how long until my pain gets better?
The pain generally will be felt gradually and around the front of the shoulder. Typically, the pain and soreness will increase with overhead activities or moving your arm away from your body. You may find you are pain-free when your arm is by your side, however, as you serve in tennis or catch a ball it can come back with sharp pain.
What should I do right now to feel better from a sore shoulder?
Rotator cuff tears usually heal successfully with appropriate physiotherapy management and a graded exercise program. If you have a sore and irritable shoulder it is worth seeing a physiotherapist begin early rehabilitation and avoid prolongation of painful symptoms. Rotator cuff injury can further deteriorate if you return to painful activities too quickly. One early pain management technique includes ice therapy. Such as icing the area immediately after an aggravating activity by pressing crushed ice wrapped in a towel against the painful area.
Here are my top three techniques for releasing tight muscles around a painful shoulder.
1. Your lats cross over the back of your shoulders, so releasing them can help you gain flexibility, reduce pain, and increase range of motion in your shoulder ยท
2. Chest muscles such as your pecs are powerful pullers of the shoulder. Pec minor attaches to the scapula and can pull your shoulder forward. Releasing it with a trigger ball can help lengthen the muscle to restore posture.
3. Releasing these tight structures at the back of the shoulder can be helpful with a ball against the wall or even lying against the ground
