What signs and symptoms indicate a rotator cuff injury?

Written in association with: Mr Abhinav Gulihar
Published:
Edited by: Conor Lynch

Top Doctors recently had the pleasure of speaking with distinguished consultant orthopaedic surgeon, Mr Abhinav Gulihar. In this article, Mr Gulihar outlines the main signs and symptoms that normally indicate a rotator cuff injury, and tells us what treatment options are available to patients who have injured their rotator cuff.

What is the rotator cuff?

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that encircle one’s shoulder joints. They are hugely important when it comes to the stability of the shoulder, as well as the function of the shoulder. An injury to one of these structures can lead to pain and potentially shoulder dislocation.

 

What signs and symptoms indicate a rotator cuff injury?

Rotator cuff injuries can be caused by trauma, or wear and tear. When a rotator cuff injury occurs after a significant fall, the majority of patients will experience severe shoulder pain that may or may not improve within a few weeks. On top of this, they may suffer quite a lot of weakness and loss of motion in the shoulder.

 

If the shoulder pain has developed over time, it is highly likely that it is a rotator cuff injury, and it could be a significant tear. Medical advice should be sought for both incidents.

 

When should I see a doctor for shoulder pain?

Patients who notice a lot of pain and a loss of movement in the shoulder should seek medical advice within two to three weeks. If your shoulder pain has been there for a while, it is reasonable to see a physiotherapist initially, who can help strengthen the shoulder. If this does not relieve a patient’s shoulder pain, an orthopaedic specialist should be seen.

 

Should I abstain from exercise with a rotator cuff injury or shoulder pain?

It is really important that you keep your shoulder as active and mobile as possible. A lack of movement can make a patient develop frozen shoulder, which can become quite serious and problematic.

 

Intense exercise should be avoided. Patients are encouraged to keep moving the shoulder through a pain-free range of motion.

 

Is treatment always necessary for this type of injury?

It depends on whether it is a tear due to trauma or due to wear and tear. If the tear has occurred as a result of trauma, it is quite likely that patients will require keyhole repair surgery of the rotator cuff.

 

In some specific cases of trauma, tears have only gone through a partial amount of the tendon. In these cases, physiotherapy and/or steroid injections can be effective and sufficient treatment options.

 

If the rotator cuff injury happens as a result of wear and tear and there is only a small amount of pain, then it is always preferable to undergo physiotherapy as well as steroid injections. 

 

Mr Abhinav Gulihar is a well-respected and experienced consultant orthopaedic surgeon. Consult with him today if you are experiencing shoulder pain. You can do just that via his Top Doctors profile.

By Mr Abhinav Gulihar
Orthopaedic surgery

Mr Abhinav Gulihar is a highly-regarded and experienced consultant orthopaedic surgeon practising in the London area. He is a specialist in regards to the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand, focusing on arthritis, fractures, sports injuries, pain, and with procedures such as arthroscopy and minimally invasive surgery. Mr Gulihar is presently practising at his private clinics in three BMI hospitals and two KIMS hospitals, alongside his clinic practice in King's College Hospital NHS Trust.

Mr Gulihar received his medical qualification in 2003 from Kasturba Medical College in Mangalore, India. Afterward, he completed his specialist orthopaedic training in East Midlands and Kent, Surrey, and Sussex before going on to do a fellowship at the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre and also undertaking the European Arthroscopy Fellowship. To further his specialist training, Mr Gulihar took the opportunity to learn from several experts in shoulder surgery during visits in Europe and the USA. Notably, Mr Gulihar completed two research degrees: Masters in Orthopaedic Engineering and an MD in joint cartilage research from the University of Leicester.

Whilst using the latest techniques and evidence-based practice, Mr Gulihar puts an emphasis on patient care in his work. He has a particular interest in education and research in his field, aiding in his continual professional growth, and ultimately bettering patient comfort and outcomes. Mr Gulihar is the current departmental lead for education and training, and he teaches multiple training courses. This work has won him several research and teaching awards. In addition, Mr Gulihar has dedicated time to have more than 20 published works in peer-reviewed journals, whilst also presenting at prestigious national and international conferences and meetings.

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