Rotator cuff?

Question

I think I may have done something to my rotator cuff. It hurts to rotate my arm in just about any direction. Is this always serious or will it get better on it's own?

I did not have an accident, it just started hurting out of the blue. I have a heafty 5 months old son that I lift ALL of the time so I'm not sure it that may have caused it. It's does feel slightly better this morning but who knows how it will do after a day of lifting him again. I will try to be easy with it.

Answer 1

Usually pain of an injured rotator cuff is in the back of the shoulder above the shoulder blade. If you put your arm at your side and try to lift it straight up toward your head it really hurts. Also if you put your arms in front of your and someone put pressure on the outside of your hands and you try to push against the pressure (like your going to lift your arm out to the side) this will also cause alot of pain) If the rotator cuff is torn it won't heal on it's own, surgery is needed. You need to go to an orthopedic doctor that specializes in the shoulder. A rotator cuff injury can't be seen on an xray your going to need an MRI. If it's not torn physical therapy will help. The longer you let it go the more chance that your going to end up with chronic pain in that shoulder, you should see your doctor right away. He can also give you pain meds to help.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Dear CJ2004,

It's safer to find out for sure than to guess. Calcium deposits can cause pain in joints, but so can dislocation or a torn rotator cuff.

Real medical attention and real physical therapy is best. I realize that some people can't afford it or don't have access to cheap, free, or ER medical care.

If a Dr. finds it is your rotator cuff and it is not TORN and in need of surgery, there are exercises you can get from him, (a pamphlet), that will help you recover. This is like "do it yourself" physical therapy. Also do not lay on that side when you sleep or lay down.

If it is dislocated, it could possibly be "pulled" back in. This is difficult and requires a lot of professional knowledge and physical strength. You don't want to make it worse.

Arthritis or calcium deposits all you can do is control pain and decrease inflammation. The cheapest least harmful way to do these is with hot and cold packs, alternating. You can use a hand towel and hot then cold water. Ring it out well, then hold it on until it loses it's heat, (hot pack), or warms up, (cold pack).


Good Luck, sorry you hurt. : (

Calico.Kitty

Answer 4

It may be a sprain at least hope so.
I just had my rc torn tendon sewed back to the bone. I had to imobilize the arm in a sling, no driving or using the arm. now 3 months later I have nearly full range of motion. I lost about 80% strength in my bicep and forearm and hand from not useing. Now I am going back to work. Work will help get strength back will see the doctor again in three months The surgeon says that is the most painful surgery there is. He says it will be a year before I can start lifting weights again. I plan 6 mo.
Just read all of above good advice
The only way to be sure is with a mri good luck

Answer 5

Not all rotator cuff injuries are serious. The most common complaint with a rotator cuff injury is pain when elevating the arm out to the side past the 90 degree mark when the supraspinatus (the most commonly injured rotator cuff tendon) is injured. Strains and partial tears tend to get better on their own with avoidance of excessive use of the arm overhead...yet pain can last anywhere from weeks to months. Physical therapy is often beneficial for assisting in regaining motion and decreasing pain. Moderate to large tears tend to heal poorly because the blood supply to the rotator cuff is very limited which delays healing. Also, once tears are large enough, they alter the mechanics of the shoulder. Specifically, it doesn't allow the head of the humerus to glide inferiorly in the glenoid fossa. This may result in impingement of the rotator cuff under the acromian process. Or in other words, it gets pinched and causes further injury.

Massive tears and complete ruptures have a 90% chance of the person never being able to regain overhead use of the shoulder. Therefore, sugery is usually indicated in these cases, depending on the medical stability of the person.

Answer 6

"Done something"? Like what? Were you in an accident that you can recall, or did it just start hurting all of a sudden? If it's the latter, it'll probably get better on its own-- just wait a day or two to see if you feel better.

If you were in an accident, then go straight to the hospital. It might be something more serious.

Either way, if the pain doesn't disappear in a few days, go to the doctor.

Answer 7

It should be better, but not 100 percent. I had something similar and I was able to do all my normal sports and lifting at work at stuff, but I realized this past week my limitations. I was having a CT scan for something else and I was told to raise my arms over my head and hold still while they took pictures for 20 minutes. I was in so much pain that I was almost crying when they stopped. It supprised the heck out of me that this old injury still affected me. So, yes, you should get it checked out. And also do stretches once it does get better.

Answer 8

It depends on the seriousness of the injury, and on your regular activities (how you let it heal, or if you are active in sports that could cause re-injury)..

No, it's not always serious, but I'd get the Dr. to check it out if I was you..

Good luck and be well!

Answer 9

You need to get x-ray, or better yet MRI to determine if you have a tear. Some orthopaedics treat it conservatively for awhile to see if surgery can be prevented. Good luck.