Rotator Cuff Injuries – Causes

Causes

A rotator cuff injury is usually caused by an accidental exposure to force, sudden twisting movement or repetitive strain caused by overhead activity.

"I was injured on the job unloading carpet padding when I was carrying big rolls on my right shoulder. Ever since, I have been in severe pain. I can't tilt my head to the right. I can't move my right shoulder. I have to wear my arm in a sling as it relaxes the pain. The pain goes down my entire arm, my elbow, wrist and hand. My hand feels like it is asleep and my whole arm tingles including my hand which is really bad." quoted by a rotator cuff injury patient.

There are two major causes of shoulder injuries. The first being degeneration, or wear and tear. Shoulder is a tendinous area which receives very little blood supply. The tendons of the rotator cuff muscles receive very little oxygen and nutrients owing to the scarce blood supply, and as a result are vulnerable to degeneration with aging. This is why shoulder problems in the elderly are very common. The second cause is due to unusual accidental exposure to excessive force, or simply putting repetitive strain on the tendons of the shoulder muscles. This usually occurs when you try to lift something overhead which is too heavy or when a force is applied to the arm while the arm is in an unusual position.

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Causes of Rotator Cuff Disorders

• Chronic repetitive stress by repeated overhead activity such as tennis, swimming, or house painting might lead to chronic tear
• Performing vigorous activity when shoulders are painful
• Normal wear and tear increasingly after age 40, causing a breakdown of fibrous protein (collagen) in the cuff''s tendons and muscles, making them prone to degeneration and injury.
• Sitting in a slouched position with the neck and shoulders forward, results in narrowing of space in the shoulder girdle complex where the rotator cuff muscles reside. This causes rotator cuff muscle or tendon to become pinched under the shoulder bones.
• Using your arm to break a fall; falling on arm can cause bruises or tears
• Lifting something overhead that''s too heavy or lifting improperly
• Risk Factors for Rotator Cuff Injuries Age – old age.
• Holding or moving arm overhead very frequently. This may happen to a sports-person, like Tennis, baseball and cricket or any other sports that may involve similar action. It may also occur as an occupational hazard in professions such as painters. Previous shoulder injuries, such as dislocations and broken bones.
• Having a rotator cuff tear in the other shoulder.
• Irregularities of the rotator cuff muscles, tendons, and bones in the shoulder
• Having received corticosteroid injections in the shoulder multiple times
• Smoking as it decreases the blood supply to the tendons and slows the healing process.
• Shoulder instability.