Rotator Cuff Tears, Sprains, and Strains in Charleston SC

Are you experiencing shoulder pain or symptoms of a rotator cuff injury in Charleston SC? Shoulder pain when reaching overhead or sleeping on your side may be a sign of a rotator cuff tear, sprain or strain. Learn the common symptoms and how our team can help you recover and move more comfortably.

Your rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their tendons that wrap around your shoulder joint. They hold the top of your arm bone in its socket and help you lift and turn your arm. Every time you reach, throw, lift, or brush your hair, your rotator cuff is at work.

Because it does so much, the rotator cuff is easy to hurt. Injuries range from a mild strain to a partial or full tear. Knowing the difference helps you get the right care sooner.

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Sprain vs. strain vs. tear: what's the difference?

• Strain: a stretched or slightly torn muscle or tendon (the tissue that attaches muscle to bone).
• Sprain: a stretched or slightly torn ligament (the tissue that connects bone to bone).
• Tear: a deeper injury where a tendon is partly or fully torn. A partial tear damages part of the tendon. A full-thickness tear goes all the way through.

Sprains and strains can happen in the shoulder, neck, back, wrist, knee, and ankle. The same care ideas apply in many of these areas.

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What are the signs and symptoms of a rotator cuff injury?

• A dull, deep ache in the shoulder or the outside of the upper arm
• Pain when lifting your arm overhead, reaching behind your back, or lifting objects
• Pain at night, especially when lying on the hurt side
• Arm weakness, such as trouble holding a gallon of milk out in front of you
• Clicking, popping, or a crackling feeling when you move your shoulder
• Stiffness or not being able to move your arm as far as before
• A sudden pop and sharp pain during a fall or lift, followed by weakness (a sign of a possible tear)

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Common signs of a sprain or strain anywhere in the body

• Pain that gets worse when you move the area
• Swelling or bruising
• Muscle spasms or cramping
• Stiffness and less movement
• Tenderness when you press on the area

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What causes these injuries?

• Repeating the same motion in jobs or sports like painting, carpentry, tennis, swimming, or baseball
• Falls onto an outstretched arm or the shoulder
• Lifting something heavy or lifting the wrong way
• Aging. After about age 40, tendons wear down and tear more easily
• Poor posture that pinches the space where tendons move

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How we diagnose shoulder injuries in Charleston SC

We check for proper range of motion in your shoulder, how far your shoulder moves, test the strength of each rotator cuff muscle, and look for signs of a tear. If we suspect a significant tear, we order an MRI or ultrasound and refer you to an orthopedic specialist when needed.

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How we treat rotator cuff injuries, sprains and strains

• Soft tissue therapy to ease tight, sore muscles and improve blood flow
• Joint mobilization and adjustments for the shoulder, upper back, and neck, which all work together
• Rehab exercises to rebuild strength and range of motion step by step
• Pain and swelling relief with ice, heat, BEMER, and Red/NIR
• Coaching on activity and sleep positions to protect the shoulder while it heals
• Co-management with orthopedic doctors for larger tears that may need surgery, including care before and after surgery