As the weather clears up many hit the ball fields to get ready for the softball season. The inherent problem is most have not ran a distance of more than 5 feet or touched a ball. Yet the second they hit the field they are sprinting around and throwing the ball like they are in midseason form. One to two days later pain ensues and one can barely move. Most will get better but some will have started a nagging, painful rotator cuff tendinopathy injury.

What is the Rotator Cuff?
The rotator cuff is a group of four (4) small muscles that originate on the scapular (shoulder blade) and attach to the humerus. Their function is downward stabilization and compression of the shoulder joint to allow the full range of motion the shoulder provides. The muscles are the supraspinatus (most commonly involved), infraspinatus, subscapularis and teres minor.

Symptoms:
-Dull, Achy, Sharp, Piercing pain in shoulder and possibly down arm
-Pain when raising arm overhead
-Pain when lying on affected shoulder

Common Causes:
-Repetitive overhead activities (thowing, swimming, reaching, lifting)
-De-conditioned shoulder/scapular muscles
-Tensile overload of shoulder (sudden jerk or pull)
-Fall on outstretched hand (FOOSH)

Possible Complications:
-Partial to full thickness rotator cuff tear
-Bursitis
-Labral tear
-Capsular sprain

Treatment:
-Proper evaluation
-Course of physical therapy
-Icing (up to 6-8X per day)
-Possible Injection if unresponsive

See our Anatomy Viewer page to view where the rotator cuff is and what it looks like. For further information read this article http://www.amssm.org/MemberFiles/RotatorCuff.pdf