What Does
Rotator Cuff Syndrome Mean?
Rotator cuff syndrome (RCS) is a term for injuries or other conditions that impede the rotator cuff's normal functioning.
The rotator cuff is the group of muscles and tendons that cover the shoulder joint and attach to the shoulder blade. Injuries to the rotator cuff can cause shoulder pain and limit shoulder mobility.
Assembly line work, painting, window cleaning, and other jobs that involve a lot of repetitive movement of the shoulders increase the risk of rotator cuff syndrome, due to the strain placed on these muscles.
Safeopedia Explains Rotator Cuff Syndrome
Some of the conditions associated with rotator cuff syndrome include:
- Rotator cuff tears – Tearing in the tendons of the rotator cuff SITS muscles. These tears can be either partial-thickness tears (PTT) or full-thickness tears (FTT).
- Rotator cuff tendinitis – Inflammation and irritation of the rotator cuff tendons due to repetitive use.
- Subacromial bursitis – Inflammation of the bursa, a soft tissue sac between the bone and the rotator cuff that provides lubrication for the tendons to glide smoothly during movement. This inflammation causes the bursa to accumulate more fluid, resulting in pain that worsens the more the shoulder is moved.
- Subacromial impingement syndrome – Inflammation of the tendons that move over the bursa, causing pain, weakness, and diminished range of motion.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
The primary symptoms of rotator cuff syndrome are:
- Weakness in the shoulder or arm
- Popping or clicking sound or catching when moving the shoulder
- Increase in pain when the arm is extended above shoulder level
- Pain in or around the shoulder
- Painful movement of the shoulder
- Shoulder pain that worsens at night
Symptoms such as these, combined with a shoulder examination, can help a physiotherapist or other health professional diagnose the problem. The examination involves moving the shoulder in various positions and comparing sensations with those in the other shoulder.
An X-ray, ultrasound scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan can help rule out other causes to diagnose the condition.
Common Causes of Rotator Cuff Injuries
Common causes associated of rotator cuff injuries include:
- Repetitive strain – Small tasks repeated continuously over time can overexert and strain the muscles and tendons of the rotator cuff
- Poor posture – Maintaining a poor posture while working can result in injury to the shoulder muscles
- Heavy lifting – Lifting or pulling heavy objects, especially in a way that places the shoulder in an awkward position, can put strain on the rotator cuff muscles
- Slips, falls, and other accidents – Falls where the shoulder hits against the floor or incidents in which an object strikes the shoulder with sufficient force can cause injury to its muscles and tendons