Question:

What is my rotator cuff and what does it do?

Answer:

The rotator cuff is made up of 4 separate muscles in the shoulder and all attach on or near the greater tubercle of the humerus. The muscles are the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis. These muscles work together maintaining the head of the humerus articulating with the glenoid fossa of the scapula when you lift your arm to the side of your body.

Typically a rotator cuff injury is diagnosed when patients signs and symptoms are related to pain with overhead reaching, a painful arc mid-range, and positive impingement tests. Rotator cuff injury can be categorized in several ways depending on the degree of injury, impingement, instability or degree of tear.

In many cases physical therapy is indicated for the patient to control/reduce pain, strengthen muscles of the shoulder, return normal function to the shoulder and many times prevent surgery.

Call Downeast Rehab at 596-0374 for all your physical therapy needs!