What is a Rotator Cuff Injury?
The rotator cuff is found in the shoulder and is made up of four muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint. Its purpose is to keep the head of your upper arm bone inside your shoulder socket, providing stability when you lift and rotate your arm. Repetitive movements that put a strain on the rotator cuff can cause an injury such as a tear to occur.
Common signs and symptoms
If you have a rotator cuff injury, you may feel:
- A dull ache in the shoulder
- Disturbed sleep caused by pain from sleeping on the affected shoulder
- Difficulty combing your hair or reaching behind your back
- Weakness in your arm
- Swelling at the front of the shoulder
- “Clicking” in your shoulderwhen raising your arms above your head
Common causes of rotator cuff injury
Rotator cuff pain can be caused either by a substantial injury or from wear and tear of the tendon which happens over time. Repetitive movements or a history of heavy lifting may cause degeneration of the rotator cuff.
You’re more likely to get an injury to your rotator cuff if you:
- Are over 40. The injury risk increases with age and people above aged 40 are more commonly affected by rotator cuff tears.
- Play certain sports.Sports like tennis, baseball and archery can cause rotator cuff injuries due to the repetitive arm motions involved.
- Work in construction.As with some sports, there are also certain jobs which can contribute to rotator cuff problems. Occupations that involve a repetitive strain on the arms, such as plastering and painting, are more likely to cause wear and tear.
- Have a family history of rotator cuff injury. Rotator cuff injuries have been shown to be more common in certain families, so you may be more susceptible due to genetics.
Diagnosing a rotator cuff injury
To reach a diagnosis, your doctor will examine your shoulder and test the strength of your shoulder muscles. You may also be referred for imaging tests (scans) such as:
- X-ray – to detect bone spurs or arthritis that may be causing the pain
- Ultrasound – to look at the soft tissues of the shoulder and assess how they appear during movement
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan – to look at all the structures of the shoulder in more detail
Once you doctor has established the extent of your injury, they will decide on an appropriate treatment plan for you.
Treating a rotator cuff injury
Most rotator cuff injuries can heal with conservative treatment such as self-care and physiotherapy. More severe cases where a complete tear is present may require surgery.
Self-care
- Avoid any activities that cause pain or weakness in your shoulder
- Ice. Apply ice to the area for 15 to 20 minutes every few hours
- Once the pain has subsided, you can use a heat pack to help with any stiffness you may be experiencing
- Your physiotherapist or doctor may have recommended some stretches which you can do to increase the strength and movement in your shoulder.
Medications
Over the counter painkillers are usually strong enough to help with pain relief and inflammation.
Physiotherapy
Your doctor may refer you to a physiotherapist who will prescribe exercises for you to follow. It is important that you carry out the advice you have been given in order to aid a successful recovery.
Injection Therapy
If non-invasive treatment has not helped to resolve your pain, your doctor may administer an injection to the area. However, injections usually only provide short term relief and it is not advisable to have them repeatedly, as it could result in damage to the tendon.
Surgery
When conservative treatment has failed, surgery may be necessary. There are different types of surgical options available for rotator cuff injuries and your doctor will decide on which approach is most appropriate for you:
- Arthroscopic tendon repair. This is a keyhole procedure where a tiny camera (arthroscope) is inserted into a small incision in your shoulder and tools are then used to reattach the torn tendon to the bone.
- Open tendon repair. An open repair involves making a larger incision to reattach the torn tendon to the bone.
- Tendon transfer. Sometimes it may not be possible to reattach the tendon to the bone, due to excessive damage to the tendon. In this case, the surgeon may take a nearby tendon and use it as a replacement.
- Shoulder replacement. In extreme cases where the rotator cuff is very badly damaged, a shoulder replacement may be the best option. The surgery involves the use of an artificial joint to improve stability. The procedure is called a reverse arthroplasty.
Recovering after a rotator cuff injury
Minor injuries may heal within weeks, depending on the treatment taken.
After surgery, recovery can take four to six months, depending on the size of the tear and other contributing factors. Immediately after surgery, you may need to wear a sling for four to six weeks. Over the counter medication can help with pain relief.
It is also likely that physiotherapy will be prescribed as part of your post-operative recovery plan. The length of the course of physiotherapy will depend on the type of repair that took place.
Who are the best rotator cuff injury doctors in Dubai?
The best rotator cuff injury doctors in Dubai are:
- Dr. Osama Hasan Mahmood Omar
- Dr. Shine Ashokan
- Dr. Farid Ghasemzadeh Mojaveri
- Dr. Charalampos Harry Kremmydas
- Dr. Emad Tawfik
Faqs
الأسئلة الأكثر شيوعا
The best rotator cuff injury doctors in Dubai are:
- Dr. Osama Hasan Mahmood Omar
- Dr. Shine Ashokan
- Dr. Farid Ghasemzadeh Mojaveri
- Dr. Charalampos Harry Kremmydas
- Dr. Emad Tawfik
The best hospital for rotator cuff injury treatment in Dubai is King’s College Hospital London Dubai.
King’s College Hospital Dubai is the best hospital for rotator cuff injury treatment in Dubai.
The best doctors for rotator cuff injuries in Dubai are Dr. Shine Ashokan, Dr. Osama Omar, Dr. Farid Ghasemzadeh Mojaveri, and Dr. Charalampos Harry Kremmydas.
A rotator cuff injury affects the group of muscles and tendons that help keep the shoulder stable and allow you to lift and rotate the arm. The injury may involve inflammation, strain, tendinitis, or a partial or full tendon tear. Rotator cuff problems are a common cause of shoulder pain, weakness, and difficulty with overhead movement.
Symptoms can include pain at the front or outer side of the shoulder, weakness when lifting or rotating the arm, pain when reaching overhead or behind the back, and discomfort at night, especially when lying on the affected side. Some patients also notice reduced strength, stiffness, or difficulty with daily tasks such as dressing, lifting, or sports.
Rotator cuff injuries can happen after a fall, sudden strain, or lifting injury, but they can also develop gradually through repeated overhead movement or wear and tear over time. They are commonly seen in athletes, swimmers, racket sports players, gym users, and people whose work involves repeated lifting or overhead activity.
Diagnosis usually starts with a detailed review of symptoms, shoulder movement, strength, and function during examination. Imaging may also be needed depending on the suspected injury. Ultrasound or MRI can help assess the rotator cuff tendons, identify partial or full tears, and look for inflammation or other shoulder problems that may be contributing to pain.
Yes. Many rotator cuff injuries can be treated without surgery, especially if the problem is inflammation, irritation, or a smaller tear. Treatment may include rest, physiotherapy, pain relief, activity modification, and sometimes injection therapy. Surgery may be considered if there is a significant tendon tear, ongoing weakness, or symptoms that are not improving with non-surgical treatment.
You should see a doctor if shoulder pain lasts more than a few weeks, keeps returning, affects sleep, causes weakness, or makes it difficult to lift your arm or do normal activities. Assessment is especially important if the pain started after an injury or if you cannot raise the arm properly.
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