The rotator cuff is made up of muscles and tendons in the shoulder. These muscles and tendons connect the upper arm bone with the shoulder blade. They also help hold the ball of the upper arm bone firmly in the shoulder socket.
A rotator cuff injury includes any type of irritation or damage to the rotator cuff muscles or tendons. Causes of a rotator cuff injury may include falling, lifting and repetitive arm activities such as throwing a baseball or placing items on overhead shelves.
Rotator cuff injuries usually have the following symptoms; the most common symptom is pain and tenderness in your shoulder, especially when reaching overhead, reaching behind the back, lifting, pulling or sleeping on the affected side, shoulder weakness, Loss of shoulder range of motion.
The most common cause of rotator cuff injuries can range from normal wear and tear with the breakdown of fibrous protein. Poor posture has also been known to cause such problems this may also happen during overhead activities, such as throwing. In addition to the pervious causes, falling can be an issue especially when using the arm to break a fall or falling this can cause bruising or tearing of the rotator cuff tendon or muscle. Lifting or pulling.
Lifting can cause damage to the rotator cuff if a heavy object is lifted improperly can put strain or even tear the tendons or muscles in the arm. This is common in sports such as high-poundage archery bow.
Repetitive overhead movement of the arms can stress the rotator cuff muscles and tendons, causing inflammation and eventually tearing. This occurs often in athletes, especially baseball pitchers, swimmers and tennis players.
