Rotator cuff
What is Rotator cuff related shoulder pain?
Around 70% of people will experience shoulder pain in their lifetime, with the rotator cuff being one of the most common causes. This is known as rotator cuff-related shoulder pain.
While this condition can impact daily activities like sleep and self-care, it is rarely serious and can often be managed at home for a successful recovery.
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles that control shoulder movement. When the tendons of these muscles become stressed, it can cause pain in the shoulder or upper arm. This condition is also known as subacromial shoulder pain, impingement, rotator cuff tendinopathy, or subacromial bursitis.
Symptoms may include:
- Pain around the outer upper arm, sometimes radiating down the arm.
- Pain when reaching forward, above head height, out to the side, or behind your back.
- Pain when lying on the arm, possibly disturbing sleep.
- A catching or sharp pain in the shoulder.
Possible causes or contributing factors:
- Repetitive or sudden increases in shoulder activity, especially tasks that require raising your arms (e.g., work, sports, or hobbies).
- Health conditions like diabetes or high cholesterol.
- Being overweight, especially around the middle.
- Menopause (for women aged 40-60).
- A sedentary lifestyle or smoking.
- Stress, illness, or feeling run down.
Ask for an Urgent GP Appointment or Call 111 If:
- You have shoulder pain and feel generally unwell with a high temperature, or feel hot and shivery.
- You develop sudden and severe pain in both shoulders.
Call 999 or go to A+E if:
- You experience a sudden inability to lift your arm after an injury, such as a fall or following an epileptic fit.
- Your arm or shoulder has changed shape or is badly swollen.
3 FACTS ABOUT ROTATOR CUFF PAIN
Scans do not add any value to treatment in the vast majority of cases. In fact, many people WITHOUT shoulder pain have ‘tears’ in the rotator cuff and these tears do not predict shoulder pain. Your confidence to move the arm, the strength of the shoulder and your overall health are much more important factors in your recovery.
While clicking in the shoulders can be disconcerting, it’s often very common and rarely a sign of something more serious, particularly in the absence of trauma.
Pain is not a sign that you are causing yourself harm. Using your arm and getting it stronger will reduce your shoulder pain in the long run.