Rotator cuff injuries

By Physiofusion Ltd

31 Jul 2019

What are rotator cuff injuries?

Rotator cuff injuries are what we find in our shoulders. Our rotator cuffs are made up of four muscles and tendons that keep our shoulders stabilised. These muscles and tendons also play an important role in the range of movement in our shoulder, so it is important we look after them!

Rotator cuff injuries are extremely common due to how frequently we use them. The most common injuries tend to fall into one of three categories – these are either strains, tendinitis or bursitis.

Firstly is rotator cuff strains or tears – these are caused by overuse or acute injury. The tendons that connect muscles to bones can overstretch (strain) or tear, partially or completely. The rotator cuff can also strain or tear after a fall, an accident, or another sudden injury. These injuries typically cause intense and immediate pain.

Secondly is Tendinitis – this is an injury usually caused by overuse of the rotator cuff. Common amongst those that play a lot of racket sports or any form of lifting activity that requires us to stretch our shoulders above head height. This type of repetitive movement can cause the joint to become inflamed.

Lastly is Bursitis – this is another common rotator cuff injury caused by inflammation of the bursa. These are fluid-filled sacs that sit between the rotator cuff tendons and the underlying bone.

Not all rotator cuff injuries cause pain, however. Some are the result of degenerative conditions, which means that the rotator cuff could be damaged or injured for months, even years, before symptoms start to appear!

How to know when we may be suffering with a rotator cuff injury?

difficulty achieving full range of shoulder motion difficulty sleeping on the affected shoulder pain or tenderness when reaching overhead pain in the shoulder, especially at night progressive weakness of the shoulder trouble reaching behind the back

How can we treat rotator cuff injuries?

Treatments range from resting, to Physiotherapy, to surgery depending on the severity. Tendinitis can progress to a rotator cuff tear, and that injury can get worse with time. Seeking treatment as quickly as possible helps keep the injury from progressing. If you try resting your injury and it doesn’t make significant improvements after a week then it is advised you seek professional advice from your Physiotherapist.

Non-surgical treatments are found to improve symptoms in around 50% of people with a rotator cuff injury, such as:

applying ice and heat to the affected shoulder to reduce swelling light exercises and stretching to restore strength and range of motion injecting the affected area with cortisone, a steroid that helps to reduce inflammation resting the affected arm and using support to isolate the injury over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen

If you are struggling with any issues in your shoulder, you can contact us for FREE advice using our online service Ask A Physio or by telephone on 01282 453 110.

#IfItHurtsWeCanHelp

Latest news

1

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans Waste recycling Blackpool

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans

01 Jul 2025

2

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries Graham Engineering

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries

01 Jul 2025

3

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted Training 2000

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted

01 Jul 2025

4

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons Colin Fisher, Paul Fox CEO and Gary Fisher.

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons

01 Jul 2025

5

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners Dean Curtis and Joe Diston

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners

01 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Business Bike Club – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
01 Jul 2025 - 01 Jul 2025

Business Bike Club – July

Various, Lancaster, LA

08:00 - 09:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Jul 2025 - 02 Jul 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July

St John's Hospice, Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6ST

08:00 - 10:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin