How do you know if your shoulder pain is something to be concerned about. Well, there are numerous causes of shoulder pain ranging from minor tweaks and sprains to more significant pathology such as rotator cuff tears and arthritis. Persistent weakness, night pain, and trouble with overhead activities should be evaluated by an orthopedic surgeon
So what are the components needed for an accurate diagnosis? The main three are: History, Physical Exam, and Imaging Studies
There are four muscles of the rotator cuff and they each play an important role in normal shoulder motion and stability.
The Supraspinatus is responsible for shoulder elevation
The Infraspinatus and teres minor allow you to rotate your shoulder out: external rotation
The Subscapularis allows you to rotate your shoulder in: internal rotation
The rotator cuff muscles act as force couples with each other and the deltoid muscle to contain the inherently unstable shoulder joint
The deltoid and supraspinatus muscles act as a force couple, compressing the shoulder ball (or humeral head) to the socket (or the glenoid)
The subscapularis and infraspinatus muscles represent the other force couple
Rotator cuff injuries range in severity from mild, time restricted pain to debilitating anatomy-altering pathology
See video below to learn more!