Rotator Cuff Muscle Strain

These are a group of muscles that help to stabilise the glenohumeral joint (shoulder joint) whilst also rotating it. The muscles that make up the
rotator cuff are; supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis. Supraspinatus and infraspinatus are most commonly injured due to their action of providing a lot of shoulder rotation. With rotator cuff injuries either the muscle/tendon can be damaged or inflammation around these can cause impingement (pinching) of surrounding structures.

Symptoms:

  • Acute
  • Pain and tearing feeling giving severe pain
  • Painful raising arm out to the side
  • Very pin point pain
  • Chronic
  • Usually found on dominant side
  • 40+ usually with gradual onset of pain and some weakness
  • Difficult to raise arm in most ranges of movement
  • Can lead to impingement syndromes

Article of rotator cuff injuries from ‘EMedicine’

Supraspinatus and Infraspinatus are the most commonly injured rotator cuff muscles