Rotator Cuff Injury
A rotator cuff injury involves damage to the group of four muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint, ranging from tendinitis and bursitis to partial or complete tears.
Definition
A rotator cuff injury involves damage to the group of four muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint, ranging from tendinitis and bursitis to partial or complete tears.
In-Depth
What You Need to Know
The rotator cuff consists of four muscles: supraspinatus (most commonly injured — initiates arm elevation), infraspinatus (external rotation), teres minor (external rotation), and subscapularis (internal rotation). Injuries range from tendinitis/impingement (inflammation from repetitive overhead use), to partial tears, to complete tears. Symptoms include shoulder pain (especially at night or with overhead activities), weakness in lifting or rotating the arm, and clicking/catching. Diagnosis involves clinical examination (empty can test, external rotation lag, lift-off test) and imaging (X-ray for bone spurs, MRI for soft tissue detail). Physical therapy is effective for rotator cuff tendinitis and many partial tears, focusing on scapular stabilization, rotator cuff strengthening (isometric → isotonic → eccentric), flexibility, and activity modification. Full-thickness tears in active patients may require surgical repair followed by 4-6 months of rehabilitation.
Calls & Questions
What Patients Ask
Common phone questions about rotator cuff injury — and how Front Desk handles scheduling and call routing automatically.
Common Patient Questions
- 1Do I need surgery for a rotator cuff tear?
- 2Can physical therapy heal a rotator cuff tear?
- 3How long does rotator cuff rehab take?
- 4What exercises help rotator cuff injuries?
How Front Desk Helps Your Practice
Front Desk captures rotator cuff symptom details from callers, schedules evaluation appointments, discusses typical rehabilitation timelines, and coordinates with orthopedic referrals when needed.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about rotator cuff injury.
A rotator cuff injury involves damage to the group of four muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint, ranging from tendinitis and bursitis to partial or complete tears. The rotator cuff consists of four muscles: supraspinatus (most commonly injured — initiates arm elevation), infraspinatus (external rotation), teres minor (external rotation), and subscapularis (internal rotation). Injuries range from tendinitis/impingement (inflammation from repetitive overhead use), to partial tears, to complete tears.
Your physical therapy provider can answer this during your appointment. Front Desk captures rotator cuff symptom details from callers, schedules evaluation appointments, discusses typical rehabilitation timelines, and coordinates with orthopedic referrals when needed.
Your physical therapy provider can answer this during your appointment. Front Desk captures rotator cuff symptom details from callers, schedules evaluation appointments, discusses typical rehabilitation timelines, and coordinates with orthopedic referrals when needed.
Your physical therapy provider can answer this during your appointment. Front Desk captures rotator cuff symptom details from callers, schedules evaluation appointments, discusses typical rehabilitation timelines, and coordinates with orthopedic referrals when needed.
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