“The World on Your Shoulders (AKA Rotator Cuff Syndromes)”
The old saying “the weight of the world on your shoulders” well picturizes what it is like for someone with a shoulder issue. The precise incidence of symptomatic rotator cuff injuries is not known. Cadaver studies of elderly persons have estimated full-thickness tears as high as 30%. An estimated 4% of cuff ruptures develop a cuff arthropathy. Various authors report a rate of success with conservative treatment ranging from 33-90%, with longer recovery time in older patients. Rotator cuff injuries and tears usually do not occur in persons younger than 40 years (5-30%). The great majority is found in persons aged 55-85 years. Approximately 15% of patients with shoulder pain who are older than 70 years have rotator cuff injuries. Prevalence increases with age. Younger patients are more likely to have rotator cuff dysfunction because of overuse, subtle instability, and muscle imbalance. Older patients tend to have chronic shoulder pain and degeneration.
One of the most common shoulder conditions is rotator cuff syndrome. The term “rotator cuff” actually refers to a group of muscles which stabilize and control primarily abduction, internal and external rotation of the shoulder. Often referred to as the “SITS” muscles: S= supraspinatus, I= infraspinatus, T= teres minor, S= subscapularis. They attach around the upper part of the humerus or arm bone and form a “cuff” around the ball and socket of the shoulder joint. These muscles are responsible for stability to the inherently unstable shoulder joint.
Within the category of rotator cuff problems are: rotator cuff syndrome or rotator cuff myofascial syndrome, rotator cuff tendonitis, and rotator cuff tendon tears or frays. Of the three, rotator cuff tendon tears are the most severe. This is when one of the tendons of the rotator cuff muscles has become stretched, torn or severed, either due to chronic overuse, arthritic spurs at the acromioclavicular joint pushing down and fraying the supraspinatus tendon or a sporadic, traumatic event causing damage to the tendon. Unless the tendon has been completely severed, therapy or treatment such as cross friction massage, trigger point therapy, ultrasound, laser therapy or interferential current and specific shoulder strengthening exercises can usually significantly improve or heal the problem. If the tendon has been completely torn, the only option for reasonable recovery is surgical intervention.
Rotator cuff tendonitis usually occurs due to repetitive and/or overuse of the shoulder and arm in certain positions which cause low grade strain to the muscle and specific tendons, and hence, an inflammatory process settles around the tendon in question and therefore a “tendonitis is born”. Tendonitis of the shoulders is often very reluctant to resolve and frequently eschew even consistent therapy, partly because of our constant use of our shoulder and arm throughout the day. Everyday tasks such as lifting a jug of milk, putting a plate up into the cupboard and sleeping at night on that side are all possible aggravators to an injured shoulder. The best treatments again include interferential stimulation, ultrasound, laser therapy (to decrease the inflammation and promote cell regeneration), specific Active Release therapy to tightened rotator cuff muscles and cross fiber massage across the rotator cuff tendons, as well as rehabilitation exercises to strengthen the rotator cuff and surrounding parascapular/shoulder blade supportive muscles.
Rotator cuff myofascial pain syndrome is, quite simply, a condition in which there is chronic inflammation and myofascial trigger points throughout the rotator cuff muscle especially in the belly of the muscles. Probably one of the most common problems of the shoulder, this condition causes a progressive tightening of the rotator cuff muscles. Symptoms include achy, burning pain in the local area of the shoulder and sometimes with referral into a specific trigger point pattern i.e. down the arm, into the shoulder blade, or into the front of the shoulder. This condition will be negative for abnormality on x-ray and MRI and will not necessarily respond very positively initially to strengthening exercises. Although orthopedists generally very easily diagnose shoulder pathology as osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tendon tears, etc., this condition often eludes even the very knowledgeable shoulder specialists (especially if they are not familiar with Dr. Janet Travell’s extensive research and documentation of myofascial trigger point conditions). This condition is very successfully treated with specific myofascial release, trigger point therapy or Active Release techniques to rid the area of fibrous feeling “knots” (or trigger points) in the specific muscles. A tell-tale signal of a rotator cuff myofascial pain syndrome is when one pushes on a big knot in a rotator cuff muscle and pain refers to another area of the body, (typical trigger point patterns of referral). In order to successfully treat this condition a highly skilled therapist (chiropractor or massage therapist who is specifically experienced with trigger point syndromes) will be best able to resolve this condition. Swedish type massage generally will not resolve this type of condition.
With all of these conditions, after successfully reducing the muscular tightness and offending trigger points and reducing the inflammation in the tendons and/or muscles, shoulder stretching, rotator cuff strengthening, as well as parascapular stabilization exercises are important in full recovery. Postural retraining and ergonomic evaluation of home and work station are often vital to prevent return of the condition.
With this information and the skill of an experienced doctor and therapist you soon may experience a greater “swing” of your shoulder and arm….”Batter up!”
References:
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- Seida JC, LeBlanc C, Schouten JR, Mousavi SS, Hartling L, Vandermeer B, Tjosvold L, Sheps DM. Systematic review: nonoperative and operative treatments for rotator cuff tears. Ann Intern Med. 2010 Aug 17;153(4):246-55.