Rotator Cuff Injury: When Should You See a Doctor?
Sometimes It's Necessary!
You might think that a rotator cuff injury only happens to factory workers who engage in repetitive movements and lift heavy objects.
The truth is, however, that anyone can injure one of the four muscles or ligaments that make up the rotator cuff. If you are replacing carpet in your home, for example, and try to pull up the old carpet in some sharp or jerky way, you can begin to experience the pain and limited range of shoulder motion that is so typical of a rotator cuff injury.
As far as a more detailed medical description is concerned, the symptoms of a rotator cuff injury arise from the inflammation that comes from the strain or overuse of the rotator cuff muscles.
Further, there are different degrees of seriousness applied to a rotator cuff injury, and home care is possible in some cases.
Alternatively, as the following examples show, there are conditions present in a rotator cuff injury that make seeing a doctor absolutely necessary.
When You Need to Recover Quickly
After a rotator cuff injury has occurred, you might find that rest, ice packs, and anti-inflammatory drugs work to heal the problem after a long time.
But, what if you are an athlete? What if you live alone and have to reach high to get food out of cabinets? For the sake of your need to recover quickly, you should see a doctor who can help with the rotator cuff injury more quickly than home care can.
When Drugs Don't Work
Anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen (Advil) might work in rotator cuff injuries that aren't as severe as others. These drugs can have problems associated with them, however, and you should see a doctor rather than taking them.
If you are taking blood thinner (Coumadin), for example, you wouldn't want to mix this with Advil.
When You Have Other Conditions
You should also see a doctor if you suspect that the pain you are feeling in your shoulder isn't really a rotator cuff injury. For example, if you have heart, gallbladder, or diaphragm problems, the pain can be 'referred' to the shoulder.
You might be taking Advil for shoulder pain when you are really on the verge of having a heart attack.
In sum, rotator cuff injuries can happen to anyone. And, while some home care is advisable for less serious cases, you should see a doctor if you need to recover quickly, if the anti-inflammatory drugs don't work, and if you feel concerned that your symptoms are really a sign of something more dangerous.
Source: Rotator Cuff Injury
www.emedicinehealth.com
The truth is, however, that anyone can injure one of the four muscles or ligaments that make up the rotator cuff. If you are replacing carpet in your home, for example, and try to pull up the old carpet in some sharp or jerky way, you can begin to experience the pain and limited range of shoulder motion that is so typical of a rotator cuff injury.
As far as a more detailed medical description is concerned, the symptoms of a rotator cuff injury arise from the inflammation that comes from the strain or overuse of the rotator cuff muscles.
Further, there are different degrees of seriousness applied to a rotator cuff injury, and home care is possible in some cases.
Alternatively, as the following examples show, there are conditions present in a rotator cuff injury that make seeing a doctor absolutely necessary.
When You Need to Recover Quickly
After a rotator cuff injury has occurred, you might find that rest, ice packs, and anti-inflammatory drugs work to heal the problem after a long time.
But, what if you are an athlete? What if you live alone and have to reach high to get food out of cabinets? For the sake of your need to recover quickly, you should see a doctor who can help with the rotator cuff injury more quickly than home care can.
When Drugs Don't Work
Anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen (Advil) might work in rotator cuff injuries that aren't as severe as others. These drugs can have problems associated with them, however, and you should see a doctor rather than taking them.
If you are taking blood thinner (Coumadin), for example, you wouldn't want to mix this with Advil.
When You Have Other Conditions
You should also see a doctor if you suspect that the pain you are feeling in your shoulder isn't really a rotator cuff injury. For example, if you have heart, gallbladder, or diaphragm problems, the pain can be 'referred' to the shoulder.
You might be taking Advil for shoulder pain when you are really on the verge of having a heart attack.
In sum, rotator cuff injuries can happen to anyone. And, while some home care is advisable for less serious cases, you should see a doctor if you need to recover quickly, if the anti-inflammatory drugs don't work, and if you feel concerned that your symptoms are really a sign of something more dangerous.
Source: Rotator Cuff Injury
www.emedicinehealth.com
Published by Dan Reveal
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