Rotator Cuff Injury

What is a Rotator Cuff Injury?

A rotator cuff injury is a painful injury that limits the functions of the shoulder and arm. A rotator cuff injury occurs when the four rotator cuff muscles or tendons are irritated and/or damaged. The four rotator cuff muscles include the supraspinatus, the infraspinatus, the teres minor, and the subscapularis. The rotator cuff tendons help hold the humerus and scapula together to enable shoulder mobility. One rotator cuff injury is a rotator cuff tear; this injury takes place when the tendons surrounding a shoulder joint tear. Another rotator cuff injury is rotator cuff tendonitis; in this case, the tendons become irritated and inflamed.

Rotator Cuff Injury Symptoms

The following are symptoms of a rotator cuff injury:

• One-sided shoulder pain
• Increased pain with movement
• Shoulder tenderness
• Arm weakness
• Stiff shoulder
• Decreased range of motion

Causes of a Rotator Cuff Injury

Rotator cuff injuries may be caused by heavy lifting, playing sports, or falling on the shoulder. It is a common injury of a slip and fall accident. Since the shoulder joint has the greatest range of motion of any other body joint, it is highly susceptible to injury.

Rotator Cuff Injury Consequences

A rotator cuff injury makes it difficult to perform daily household chores due to the pain. Because it limits a shoulder and arm's functions, it will also prevent some people from efficiently carrying out their normal work-related duties. For those who do not allow the rotator cuff injury to heal, shoulder symptoms and complications will increase.

Rotator Cuff Injury Treatment

The RICE method is usually useful in treating rotator cuff injuries.

• R - Rest
• I - Ice
• C - Compression
• E - Elevation

In order to prevent the injury from worsening, a sling may be used until the rotator cuff injury has healed as much as necessary. Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or acetaminophen, can also help with the pain and swelling. Once the pain starts to subside, the patient will then work on strengthening the shoulder muscles by using a series of motion exercises; if necessary, physical therapy may also be of assistance. However, most of the time, a rotator cuff injury will heal on its own with self-care measures and/or exercise therapy.

Contact Us

If you or a loved one has experienced a rotator cuff injury, please contact our Shoulder Injury Attorneys for a free, personal, and confidential consultation. You can contact the Law Offices of Michael Cordova at 602-265-6700.

Our attorneys not only work on rotator cuff injury cases but in other personal injury areas, as well as criminal defense and DUI, car accidents, dog bites, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, and product and premises liability, so please contact your local Phoenix attorneys for a free consultation.

*Contingent fees are charged on total recovery. **No Fee Guarantee applies in the event there is no recovery.