What is the Rotator Cuff, and why is it Important?

2010-04-05T19:52:00.000-07:00

The rotator cuff makes up an important part of the shoulder joint and the Shoulder operates like this. The scapula, or the shoulder blade, meets the humerus at the shoulder; here the head of the humerus fits neatly into the shallow socket of the scapula.

The Rotator Cuff is the group of muscles that work in the shoulder joint to keep the humerus in the socket.

This makes the Rotator Cuff Muscles important for keeping the shoulder stable.

Supraspinatus muscle – Is responsible for helping move the arm away from the body. It is the most often used, and so is the most often Rotator Cuff Muscle to be torn or injured.

Infraspinatus muscle – This muscle is responsible for the rotation of the arm externally, away from the body.

Teres Minor muscle – Also helps in external rotation of the arm.

Subscapularis muscle – Initiates and carries out the internal rotation of the humerus, turning the arm toward the body.

These four muscles and the tendons that attach them wrap around and attach to the bones of the shoulder. This then allows them to pull the bones in any desired direction.

Because the Rotator Cuff Muscles get a lot of use and they are not usually very strong, they are one of the primary areas of shoulder trauma. So when someone has a shoulder injury, chances are that is a Rotator Cuff Injury with damage to the Rotator Cuff Muscles.

The most frequent common injury to the rotator cuff muscles is a tear usually occurring in the tendons.

A tear in the rotator cuff muscles can occur as other injuries, when the area is overused or suddenly and strenuously stressed. However, it is common for a tear to happen progressively over time. One might have a slight tear in the rotator cuff and not know it until the tear get worse becomes painful.

Because the Rotator Cuff muscles are such an important group of muscles, when something goes wrong it can really put one out of action for quite a while.

Exercising the rotator cuff muscles is a good way to keep them in good condition. There are specific isolated stretches and exercises that target this muscle group and build up its tolerance and strength.

One of the first symptoms that usually indicate torn or damaged rotator cuff muscles is a pain in the shoulder or to the side of the shoulder either at night, or while raising the arm in everyday activities.

If there is a tear it can easily become worse and the symptoms can extremely painful and lead to requiring either, long-term treatment or Surgery.