As we age, one of the most common injuries is a rotator cuff tear. If you’re dealing with this type of injury, you may be asking yourself why are rotator cuff tears so common? Below we’ll dig into why these injuries are so common and what you can do to help prevent them from happening in the first place.
Why are Rotator Cuff Injuries Common?
Below are a few of the reasons why so many Americans are dealing with rotator cuff injuries:
- Complexities of the Shoulder Joint – While the shoulder joint is typically referred to as a ball and socket joint, it actually looks more like a golf ball on a tee. Because of this, the ball of the humerus doesn’t really fit inside the socket. The only thing that is holding the socket in place are the rotator cuff tendons.
- Rotator Cuff Tendons Become Weak – There are four tendons that keep the shoulder in place. As we get older, we place a lot of wear and tear on these tendons, especially if we don’t exercise. These muscles can become weak and brittle over time, which is why many people are prone to rotator cuff tears.
- Tears May Not Be Obvious – A rotator cuff injury may not be a complete tear, which can lead to pain, but you may try to keep using your shoulder. This can lead to further damage, which is why you should always get shoulder pain checked out by a doctor, especially as you age.
How to Prevent Rotator Cuff Tears
Below are just a few ways that you can strengthen your shoulder to help prevent rotator cuff tears:
- Exercise – Exercise both the small and large muscles of the shoulder to strengthen the tendons that hold the humerus in place.
- Stop Smoking – Don’t smoke as it can reduce the blood flow to the rotator cuff.
- Watch Your Posture – Try to keep good posture whenever possible. Leaning forward with your head and shoulders can cause problems with your shoulder blades, which can ultimately lead to rotator cuff issues.
- Resistance Training – Incorporate resistance training into your exercise regimen. Start with low repetitions and gradually increase and you will start to strengthen the muscles around your shoulder joint. Be sure to always keep movements slow and steady.
- Avoid Repetitive Overhead Activities – Try to limit repetitive overhead activities. Talk to your doctor about alternative movements that might cause less stress on your shoulders.
Dealing with Shoulder Pain? MCFRM is Here to Help!
If you’re dealing with chronic shoulder pain, the doctors at MCFRM are here to help. Give us a call today at (248) 216-1008 and we’ll be glad to setup a consultation to discuss your shoulder pain and help devise a plan to offer some relief so that you can get back to living your life again!