Rotator Cuff Injury

South Coast Sports and Spine Medicine

Tariq Hilal, DO

Sports and Spine Physician located in Orange and Los Angeles County, Los Alamitos, CA & Upland, CA

Rotator cuff injuries are a common source of shoulder pain, causing about two million people to seek medical care every year. Board-certified sports and spine physician Tariq Hilal, DO, treats rotator cuff injuries in patients of all ages at South Coast Spine & Sports in Los Alamitos, California. If you suspect you have a rotator cuff injury, call the office or book an appointment online today.

Rotator Cuff Injury Q&A

What is a rotator cuff injury?

The rotator cuff is one of the most important parts of your shoulder. This group of four tendons surrounds the head of your upper arm bone (humerus) and helps you lift and rotate your arm.

Dr. Hilal treats various types of rotator cuff injuries, including:

Rotator cuff tears
A rotator cuff tear occurs when one or more of these tendons sustains damage and separates from the bone. Rotator cuff tears can be partial or complete (full-thickness tear).

Rotator cuff tendinitis
When a tendon becomes irritated and inflamed, you have tendinitis. This condition may involve damage to the rotator cuff tendon without causing a tear.

Shoulder impingement syndrome
Impingement syndrome is closely related to rotator cuff tendinitis, and the two conditions may occur at the same time. Impingement occurs when tissues in your shoulder become inflamed and pinch the tendon or bursa (fluid-filled sac), causing pain.

What causes rotator cuff injuries?

Rotator cuff injuries are common in people of all ages, from young athletes to middle-aged adults. People who play sports that use overhead arm motions, like swimming and tennis, are especially vulnerable to rotator cuff injuries

Other common causes of rotator cuff injuries include heavy lifting and overhead activities like construction work and painting. Sometimes, rotator cuff injuries occur without a clear cause.

How do I know if I have a rotator cuff injury?

Most rotator cuff injuries develop gradually. Shoulder pain and symptoms typically start off mild and worsen over time. Common symptoms of a rotator cuff injury include:

Shoulder pain that may worsen when moving your arm or sleeping on your side
Weakness in the affected arm
A crunching or crackling sensation when moving your shoulder

Rotator cuff tears that happen suddenly cause immediate, severe pain and arm weakness at the time of injury.

How are rotator cuff injuries treated?

First, Dr. Hilal evaluates your symptoms and medical history and performs a physical exam. He may take tests, such as an X-ray or an MRI.

Then, he develops an individualized treatment plan for your rotator cuff injury. About 80% of people find relief with non-surgical treatments, such as: