Torn Rotator Cuff Symptoms - Find Out How to Identify Them
Posted on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 4:10 pmWhile torn rotator cuff symptoms are more commonly experienced by people who are middle aged, this is an injury which can affect anyone at any age. A torn rotator cuff can be due to an accident or more commonly, from repetitive stress injury. In the case of torn rotator cuffs stemming from an accident, the problem is immediately apparent. However, many with rotator cuff injuries due to repetitive strain don’t notice the problem for some time since the damage and symptoms worsen gradually over a period of time.
The first sign of an injured rotator cuff is usually throbbing pains which happen periodically and are not usually very severe. Many simply take a pain reliever and ignore the problem - which is a serious mistake, since they tend to continue putting stress on the injured joint, exacerbating the problem. All the pain reliever does is to numb the pain for a short time, with the symptoms returning worse than before once it wears off. The other early signs of an injured rotator cuff are stiffness, swelling and weakness. These symptoms show up slowly and worsen over time, which allows the suffer to prevent the worst possible outcome if they take action, since these symptoms will be experienced before the tear actually occurs.
Adhesive capsulitis (or “frozen shoulder”) can develop when the initial set of torn rotator cuff symptoms are experienced. This is a reduction of mobility in the joint which can be severe enough that the sufferer has great difficulty performing even the most common of movements, such as those involved in getting dressed.
All too many patients don’t begin to take notice of the problem until their torn rotator cuff symptoms have progressed to the point where they are unbearable. As the shoulder becomes more inflamed with continued stress, the symptoms gradually become more severe. Once the symptoms become very severe, the injury is often to the point where a full recovery could take years. Rather than allowing things to degenerate this far, it is better to listen to what your body is telling you and start treating the condition with a rotator cuff exercise program. Don’t just use pain relievers to hide the pain - it will only return worse than ever as you keep causing more damage to your rotator cuff.
If you engage in sports or other athletic pursuits or have a career which involves a lot of physical strain, you need to be especially careful about watching for the onset of torn rotator cuff symptoms. As the injury becomes worse, so do the symptoms - and conditions like frozen shoulder can be truly debilitating.
You’ll be able to prevent serious injury and keep torn rotator cuff symptoms from impairing your ability to live your life normally by having the problem diagnosed and treated as early as possible. A torn rotator cuff can be diagnosed using ultrasound, MRI, x-rays, physical examination and arthograms. The treatment may be as simple as ice packs or heat therapy with stretching and other exercises; or in more advanced injuries, physical therapy or even steroids may be indicated.
Tom Nicholson spends his time helping carpal tunnel sufferers. Please follow this link to find out more regarding having asore wrist.
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