Though they generally occur in the middle age group, it's not uncommon for torn rotator cuff symptoms to manifest themselves in the younger generation. Accidents, repeated strains in the muscles are some of the common causes of this problem. Though accidents are also responsible for injuring the rotator cuff, such injuries are normally quite apparent. However, problems like repeated stress syndrome where a person keeps doing tasks which put a strain on the ball and socket joint of the shoulders gradually damage the rotator cuff over time.
Typically, the first sign of these injuries are minor throbbing pains which recur periodically. In general, people shrug this pain off, often taking an over the counter pain reliever and ignoring the problem. This is a big mistake, since these people tend to continue working their shoulders, causing further damage. When the pain reliever wears off, the pain returns worse than ever, often along with restricted mobility of the affected shoulder. Other signs of a rotator cuff injury include weakness, stiffness and swelling in the injured shoulder joint. However, since gradual strain is the most common cause of this type of injury, these symptoms will show up before there is actual tearing of muscles or tendons, meaning that the worst can be averted if action is taken.
A condition called "frozen shoulder" (adhesive capsulitis) may develop if no treatment is sought after experiencing the earlier torn rotator cuff symptoms. This condition is characterized by a reduction in the ability to move the shoulder, often to the point where even routine tasks like dressing or driving can be done only with the greatest difficulty.
All too many patients don't begin to take notice of the problem until their torn rotator cuff symptoms have progressed to the point where they are unbearable. As the shoulder becomes more inflamed with continued stress, the symptoms gradually become more severe. Once the symptoms become very severe, the injury is often to the point where a full recovery could take years. Rather than allowing things to degenerate this far, it is better to listen to what your body is telling you and start treating the condition with a rotator cuff exercise program. Don't just use pain relievers to hide the pain - it will only return worse than ever as you keep causing more damage to your rotator cuff.
People who are into heavy physical activity or sports need to really pay good attention to torn rotator cuff symptoms. When the inflammation increases, then problems like frozen shoulder can even cause disability.
The best way to prevent torn rotator cuff symptoms from affecting your life is to get diagnosed and treated early. The diagnostic tools used to establish a torn rotator cuff include x-rays, ultrasound, MRI, arthograms and physical examination. The treatment depends on the severity of the injury and of the torn rotator cuff symptoms; these may include heat or cold, exercise and stretching, physical therapy and in very severe cases, steroids.
Typically, the first sign of these injuries are minor throbbing pains which recur periodically. In general, people shrug this pain off, often taking an over the counter pain reliever and ignoring the problem. This is a big mistake, since these people tend to continue working their shoulders, causing further damage. When the pain reliever wears off, the pain returns worse than ever, often along with restricted mobility of the affected shoulder. Other signs of a rotator cuff injury include weakness, stiffness and swelling in the injured shoulder joint. However, since gradual strain is the most common cause of this type of injury, these symptoms will show up before there is actual tearing of muscles or tendons, meaning that the worst can be averted if action is taken.
A condition called "frozen shoulder" (adhesive capsulitis) may develop if no treatment is sought after experiencing the earlier torn rotator cuff symptoms. This condition is characterized by a reduction in the ability to move the shoulder, often to the point where even routine tasks like dressing or driving can be done only with the greatest difficulty.
All too many patients don't begin to take notice of the problem until their torn rotator cuff symptoms have progressed to the point where they are unbearable. As the shoulder becomes more inflamed with continued stress, the symptoms gradually become more severe. Once the symptoms become very severe, the injury is often to the point where a full recovery could take years. Rather than allowing things to degenerate this far, it is better to listen to what your body is telling you and start treating the condition with a rotator cuff exercise program. Don't just use pain relievers to hide the pain - it will only return worse than ever as you keep causing more damage to your rotator cuff.
People who are into heavy physical activity or sports need to really pay good attention to torn rotator cuff symptoms. When the inflammation increases, then problems like frozen shoulder can even cause disability.
The best way to prevent torn rotator cuff symptoms from affecting your life is to get diagnosed and treated early. The diagnostic tools used to establish a torn rotator cuff include x-rays, ultrasound, MRI, arthograms and physical examination. The treatment depends on the severity of the injury and of the torn rotator cuff symptoms; these may include heat or cold, exercise and stretching, physical therapy and in very severe cases, steroids.
About the Author:
Tom Nicholson has spent years caring for sufferers of carpal tunnel syndrome. You can click here to find out more about having asore wrist.
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