Rotator Cuff

What exactly is the rotator cuff? Quite simply, the rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that surround, or make a cuff, around the humerus bone in the shoulder. The four muscles that make up the rotator cuff are the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis muscles. One main function of each of these muscles is rotation of the shoulder. The first three muscles externally rotate the shoulder, while the subscapularis internally rotates it. Another important job of the rotator cuff is to hold the humeral head (the ball of the shoulder) in the glenoid fossa of the scapula (the socket of the shoulder). This is why severe injuries to the rotator cuff could result in shoulder dislocation.

Severe injuries to the rotator cuff include partial or complete tears to the muscle or tendon. This often results in surgical repair as the only logical solution. Less severe injuries include strains, tendonitis, and tendinosis. In these cases, conservative care can be quite effective. This includes physiotherapy modalities such as electric stimulation and ultrasound, joint mobilization and manipulation, and therapeutic exercise.

If you're experiencing shoulder pain, limited motion, clicking/popping, you might have an issue with the rotator cuff. If it persists, it can become a chronic problem. Have it checked and treated by a professional.