As it appeared in the Hendricks County Flyer - August 2007
Question: I played football in high school and like to stay active in sports and weight training, but lately, I’ve been experiencing pain and limited range of motion in my shoulder. I suspect a rotator cuff strain or injury. Am I on the right track?
Answer: Shoulder pain is a common occurrence. The good news is that the majority of shoulder pain can be treated non-operatively. Most of the ache in the shoulder of middle aged people is due to an imbalance of the shoulder musculature. This imbalance causes the muscles in the shoulder to work poorly, leading to impingement of the rotator cuff underneath the tip of your shoulder (acromium). The common name for this condition is rotator cuff tendonitis or bursitis or impingement syndrome. It can be analogous to the imbalance that occurs on the tires in your car. Just wear and tear can cause an imbalance or you can run your car into the curb. The results are the same. You are able to drive the car, but not really well. Your shoulders can experience the same problem.
With activity modification, physical therapy and the use of nonsteroidal medications the balance can return. Occasionally your physician may recommend a steroid injection into the subacrominal space (space underneath the acromium where the rotator cuff tendon lies), attempting to bathe the rotator cuff tendon causing a shrinkage of the tendon and preventing an impingement of the rotator cuff. When the balance is restored, the pain usually decreases.
If conservative measures fail then operative intervention may be necessary. Your doctor may recommend an acrominoplasty. This is performed as an outpatient surgery and usually requires approximately 3 months of recovery. The surgery is designed to increase the space for the rotator cuff tendon, thus stopping the impingement process. The post operative exercises can now help to balance the shoulder.
If these symptoms sound familiar seek the counsel of an upper extremity surgeon.
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