ROTATOR CUFF INJURY

What is Rotator Cuff Injury?

Rotator cuff injury can vary from simple tendonitis to degeneration and partial or full thickness tear.  It usually refers to an impingement syndrome which comes in three stages.

Stage I

This results form the mechanical irritation of the tendon occurred by overhead activities and is characteristically observed in the younger patients who are more athletic. This condition is reversible with physiotherapy.

Stage II

Fibrosis and tendonitis occur from repeated episodes of mechanical inflammation which can lead to thickening of the bursae ( a small balloon type pocket that protects the tendon rubbing over bone )

Typical age range is 25-40 years of age.

Stage III

This involves complete or incomplete tendon rupture of rotator cuff, biceps tendon and bone alteration.

This can be caused by continuous compression of the rotator cuff muscles.