WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles that hold the top
of the arm in its socket in the shoulder. Either the entire
rotator cuff or a small portion can be torn. Healing time
depends on the severity of the tear or injury. Most torn
rotator cuffs occur in the arm used the most frequently, and
most victims are men over the age of 40.
Causes
In many cases, the rotator cuff
is torn during an attempt to break a fall with an outstretched
hand. Other common causes include throwing, heavy lifting, or
falling on your arm. Rotator cuff injuries happen frequently to
skiers, and baseball, tennis, and football
players.
Signs/Symptoms
Symptoms typically include pain,
weakness, numbness, and tingling in the shoulder, and weakness
in the arm. You will also have difficulty moving your arm,
especially out from your body.
Care
Your doctor will probably order
an x-ray of your shoulder. You will probably need to wear a
sling or immobilizer so the shoulder can heal. A severe injury
may require surgery to repair the tear.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
-
Apply ice to the injury for 15 to 20 minutes each
hour for the first 1 to 2 days. Put the ice in a plastic
bag and place a towel between the bag of ice and your
skin.
-
After the first 1 to 2 days, you may put heat on the
injury to help ease the pain. Use a heating pad (set on
low), a whirlpool bath, or warm, moist towels for 15 to 20
minutes every hour for 48 hours.
-
If you are wearing a sling, keep it on all the time
until your doctor says you can remove it. If you take it
off to dress or bathe, be sure to avoid moving or lifting
your arm.
-
If you have a shoulder immobilizer (sling and
straps), do not remove it until your doctor says you can
take it off, or until your follow-up examination. If you
must take it off, move your arm as little as
possible.
-
You may want to sleep on 2 or 3 pillows at night to
reduce the swelling.
-
If pain medicine prescribed by the doctor makes you
drowsy, don't drive. You also may use over-the-counter
medicines for pain. Take all medications exactly as
directed.
Call Your Doctor If...
-
The pain in your shoulder gets worse, or new pain
starts in your arm, hand, or fingers.
-
The hand or fingers on the side with the injury are
colder than on the other side.
-
The arm, hand, or fingers on the side with the injury
feel numb or tingly, become swollen, or turn white or
blue.
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