The rotator cuff enables a significant range of motion, actions that we often take for granted such as raising our arms and reaching upward. The rotator cuff is made up of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, holding the head of the upper arm bone within the shoulder socket. As general wear on the rotator cuff is usually what leads to injuries, the risk of a tear increases with age. Injuries brought on by certain sports or accidental falls can also cause tears in the rotator cuff.
Signs and Symptoms
Though a tear in the rotator cuff may not cause any recognizable pain but rather a general weakness in arm strength, these are the most common signs that a tear might have occurred:
- Recurrent pain incited by certain activities
- Restless sleep due to pain in the shoulder
- Grinding or cracking sounds when you move your shoulder
- Limited ability to move your arm
- Muscle weakness
Contact Dr. Daneca DiPaolo if the pain you are experiencing begins to interfere with your everyday activities, if your sleep is affected, or if your shoulder function is hindered. Dr. DiPaolo offers the latest advancements in orthopedics while providing quality, compassionate, state-of-the-art orthopedic care.
Dr. Daneca DiPaolo is an experienced board-certified orthopedic surgeon and hand specialist located in Grenada, Mississippi. She offers the newest orthopedic techniques, and provides quality, compassionate, state of the art orthopedic care.
