Do you have shoulder pain?
Many people do. One common culprit is the rotator cuff, a group of four muscles that help initiate and stabilize the shoulder during motion. Normal daily activities put stress on these muscles. And that may lead to a spectrum of issues ranging from bursitis or tendonitis (inflammation of the tendon) to a full tear of the tendon from the bone (rotator cuff tears).
Symptoms
The most common symptom is pain primarily located in the side or front of the shoulder. Often, it radiates down the side of the upper arm. Reaching overhead may cause pain and it’s frequently difficult to sleep.
Rotator cuff injuries aren’t always caused by specific events. Often, a patient will notice a slow progression of symptoms over time. While an injury is reasonably easy to self-diagnose, determining whether the cause is tendonitis or a tear can be trickier. An inability to raise the arm or muscle weakness are more common with tears than tendonitis.
If these symptoms persist for more than a week, a visit to an orthopedic surgeon may be in order to get a correct diagnosis and create a treatment plan.
Treatment
The severity of the injury will guide treatment options for rotator cuff problems.
Surgery is not the only option. Often, injuries can be treated with non-operative methods such as:
- anti-inflammatory medicines
- occasional cortisone injections
- physical therapy
Building up strength of the rotator cuff muscles with specific exercises while reducing inflammation within the shoulder typically reduces shoulder pain. If conservative treatment doesn’t provide relief, a patient may require an MRI or other imaging to better evaluate the extent of the injury.
For months, I suffered from pretty intense shoulder pain that impacted everyday activities like my ability to reach overhead or behind my back. I went to see Dr. Hollis and after one cortisone injection I felt tremendous relief. In just a few days my shoulder pain subsided and my range of motion drastically improved. I have been thrilled with the results and only wish I hadn’t waited so long to have it treated by Dr. Hollis. –Debbie Reardon, Reardon Real Estate
Sometimes, surgery is required to treat rotator cuff injuries—particularly if the tendon has torn away from the bone. Reliable studies suggest that such an injury does not have the ability to heal itself. Deciding to live with the injury may lead to long term pain and functional loss. It also may complicate later attempts at surgical repair.
Surgical techniques continue to evolve, and often rotator cuff repair can be accomplished using just three small band-aid size incisions. Patients often go home the same day as the procedure and experience lasting pain relief and improvement in function.
About Dr. Ron Hollis
Dr. Ron Hollis is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon with Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group. His specialties include the treatment of all shoulder and knee disorders, including arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs and shoulder replacement surgery, sports injuries, knee replacement surgery and fracture care. He is a minor-league team physician for the Milwaukee Brewers and is an Associate Professor with University of Colorado School of Medicine. For more information visit www.drronhollis.com or call 719-632-7669.
Expert Orthopaedic Care
If you think you might have injured a rotator cuff, the specialists at Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group can help you.
They offer two options: the main clinic or the CSOG Express Care Clinic. Express is a specialty copay which usually costs less than urgent care facilities. And the cash pay program is significantly lower than both an urgent care or the emergency room. At the CSOG Express Care Clinic, you have direct access to specialists in bone, muscle and joint injury care. And there is less risk of contact with possible contagious germs than in emergency rooms and urgent care centers.
Contact Information
Phone: 719-622-4550 (Express Care Clinic) or 719-632-7669 (Main Clinic)
Address: 4110 Briargate Parkway, Suite 145
Hours: Monday thru Friday 9am-7pm. Saturday 10am- 2pm.
