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Rotator cuff muscles are a group of four muscles that provide strength and flexibility to your shoulder. Repeated use of shoulders causes rotator cuff tears in older people. The supraspinatus is the most commonly injured muscle, and it helps in lifting the arm.
In this blog, you will learn what rotator cuff muscle is, rotator cuff tears, and ways to prevent rotator cuff arthropathy.
Let Us Understand What Rotator Cuff Muscle Is
Rotator cuff muscles comprise four different kinds of muscles and their tendons that provide strength and stability to the shoulder during a motion. Muscles present in the rotator cuff are the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. These muscles arise from the scapula, then connect to the head of the humerus (the longest bone in the arm), and a cutoff around the glenohumeral (shoulder) joint is formed. Balanced movement and strength of all four muscles are required for the proper function of the entire shoulder.
Rotator Cuff Tears
Rotator cuff tears are very common in older adults after 60 years of age. With repeated usage of the shoulders, the rotator cuff wears and weakens out, and even with trivial trauma, it tears. A rotator cuff is a group of four muscles, of which the most commonly injured is the supraspinatus. The main function of the supraspinatus is to depress the shoulder down so that you can lift your arm.
Rotator Cuff Arthropathy
Rotator cuff arthropathy is a shoulder degenerative joint disease where you are not able to lift the shoulder beyond 30°angle. This inability otherwise known as pseudo paralysis leads to repeated movement across the glenohumeral, thus causing rotator cuff arthropathy or arthritis of the shoulder.
A rotator cuff tear can lead to rotator cuff arthropathy. However, not all rotator cuff tears result in rotator cuff arthropathy. The severity of the tear, the amount of movement in the shoulder joint, and other factors play a role in determining whether arthritis develops or not.
How to Prevent Rotator Cuff Arthropathy?
Repairing your rotator cuff is an ideal treatment option to prevent rotator cuff arthropathy. Rotator cuff repairs are commonly done in elderly age groups, people above 50 or 60 years of age. These surgeries have a very good prognosis. So, after 3 months of the procedure, you should be able to lift your arm and perform your day-to-day activities. Your shoulder pain is alleviated, and the need for shoulder replacement decreases if earlier repair is done rather than doing it at an advanced stage when your muscle is already replaced by fat because of the inability to move the shoulder and repetitive injury.
Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair
A shoulder arthroscopy of the rotator cuff is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed using an arthroscope and other equipment via small incisions. The arthroscope attached to a tiny camera connects to a video monitor, allowing the surgeon to have a clear view of the damaged rotator cuff. Specialized instruments are used to reattach the torn tendon to its original position on the bone. This can involve the use of sutures, anchors, or other fixation methods. Open repair surgery can also be performed in which a surgical incision is made and a large muscle is gently moved out of the way to do the surgery.
After the procedure, the patient is closely monitored in a recovery room before being discharged. Physical therapy and rehabilitation are the next line of therapy for regaining strength, mobility, and function in the shoulder.
When Should You Go for Rotator Cuff Repair?
You should undergo rotator cuff repair in the following cases:
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You have chronic shoulder pain for 3 to 4 months which increases when you rest or at night.
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You have been a sportsperson and overused your shoulder for sporting activities.
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You notice weakness in your hands and are unable to do daily activities.
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In the case of a complete rotator cuff tear.
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You have a tear caused by an injury.
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Physical therapies are not showing any improvement.
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There is a significant loss of function.
If your shoulder pain or problem in lifting your arm persists for a longer duration, then you must visit an orthopaedician as soon as possible and follow up on all the procedures suggested by the doctor.
Visit Manipal Hospitals Jayanagar to meet the best orthopedic doctor in Bangalore for all your joint-related problems.
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