Rotator Cuff Shoulder Pain

What Is It?

Research shows 1 in 4 people will experience shoulder pain at some stage in their lives

Rotator cuff related pain accounts for >80% shoulder complaints

Rotator cuff related shoulder pain occurs when the muscles and tendon that support the shoulder joint itself (the rotator cuff) become sensitive and symptomatic

 Why Does It Happen?

The rotator cuff can become sensitive for a number of reasons such as:

Overload  

Weakness

Poor shoulder blade control / mobility

Traumatic injury – which can lead to tearing of the rotator cuff

What Does It Look Like?

Pain at the tip of the shoulder or in the deltoid region is most common

Morning stiffness is common

Pain with loading – ie lifting things

Restricted  shoulder movement due to pain/weakness, particularly overhead

 How To Get Better?

For the majority of cases of rotator cuff related pain, the condition can be managed effectively through exercise and specific physiotherapy

Physiotherapy for this condition involves:

Manual therapy to allow the shoulder blade and shoulder to move more freely

Exercise based therapy to recondition the rotator cuff to help stabilise the shoulder and tolerate load, as well as improve shoulder blade function

Injections can sometimes be effective as an adjunct for cuff related pain if physiotherapy alone does not provide symptomatic relief in the short term