Shoulder pain is common, but it is not normal. Perhaps you have a rotator cuff tear? How would you know?
Here are a few questions may highlight common symptoms that are common to those with rotator cuff tears –
Have you recently injured your shoulder?
Do you have pain with overhead activities?
Do you have shoulder pain at night?
Does your shoulder feel weak?
Don’t worry, not all rotator cuff tears need surgery, but it is important to identify the particular source of your shoulder painbecause the particular treatment and rehabilitation can drastically reduce your suffering.
One note – there is no anatomic structure called the “Rotatory Cup”! You are right, the spherical end of the humerus does rotate in the glenoid (cup), and is actually the most mobile joint in the body. However, the “Rotator Cuff” is not directly involved with the joint surface, so problems with your rotator cuff do not necessarily mean that you have shoulder arthritis.
Common demographics of a patient with a rotator cuff tear include age 30-60, a specific traumatic episode or chronic heavy use of the shoulder, specifically difficulty with overhead activity. Symptoms include pain and weakness with initiating activities about the shoulder, night pain, pain on the side of the shoulder radiating down the arm. Symptoms that suggest another disorder include grinding shoulder or popping shoulder, shoulder dislocation, pain in the front of the shoulder, stiff shouder, numbness, neck pain.
Once again, shoulder pain is common, but not normal. Proper systematic evaluation is critical identify your particular diagnosis to lead you down a rational treatment pathway with maximal chance of success.
For an appointment, call 206-633-8100 or you can submit a question that I will answer here.
