Rotator Cuff Pathologies
The rotator cuff is a structure located in your shoulders. It is a group of four tendons that run along the head of the humerus. They surround the structure, just like a cuff. The four tendons are called infraspinatus, subscapularis, supraspinatus, and teres minor. Altogether they stabilize the articulation and help produce lifting and rotating movements of the arms.
When any rotator cuff tendons tear or become damaged, you will likely get different types of shoulder pain. The most commonly affected tendon is the supraspinatus, which can either be affected by inflammation or torn. It is a debilitating injury in patients between 40 and 60 years old and can be alone or accompanied by bursitis.
In rotator cuff pathologies, patients feel pain when trying to lift the arm. They report shoulder weakness and cannot put their hands behind their backs. Some sports increase the likelihood of rotator cuff pathologies and cause significant pain when there’s an alteration. The most commons are tennis and weightlifting at the gym.
You’ll be at a higher risk if you do repetitive overhead activities. Besides weightlifting and tennis, it can be work that constantly involves handling or lifting objects overhead. Thus, even sedentary people can have this problem, especially if they have chronic conditions such as diabetes.