What medicine to take for rotator cuff inflammation

Rotator cuff inflammation is a relatively common disease and is also a disease caused by inflammatory infection. If rotator cuff inflammation occurs, it will have a great impact on people's normal arm movement ability. If this disease is not controlled and treated in time, the condition will worsen. Next, I will introduce to you the causes, clinical manifestations, and treatment methods of rotator cuff inflammation!

1. Causes

1. Trauma

It is the main cause of rotator cuff injury in young people. It is caused by falling with the hands abducted to the ground or holding heavy objects, and the shoulder joint is suddenly abducted and raised or sprained.

2. Insufficient blood supply

Causes degeneration of rotator cuff tissue. When the humerus is in internal rotation or external rotation in a neutral position, this dangerous area of ​​the rotator cuff is most susceptible to compression by the humeral head, which squeezes the blood vessels and causes relative ischemia in the area, leading to degeneration of the tendon. Clinically, complete rotator cuff rupture mostly occurs in this area.

3. Chronic impingement injury of the shoulder

The rotator cuff tissue of middle-aged and elderly patients degenerates due to long-term subacromial impact and wear. The disorder often develops during repetitive activities that require extreme abduction of the shoulder (eg, baseball, backstroke and butterfly stroke, weightlifting, racquet sports). When the upper limb is extended, the humeral head hits the acromion and coracoacromial ligament forward, causing supraspinatus tendon injury. Chronic irritation can cause subacromial bursitis, aseptic inflammation, and tendon aggravation. Acute, violent injury can cause rupture of the rotator cuff.

2. Clinical manifestations

This disease is more common in patients over 40 years old, especially those who do heavy physical labor. There are no symptoms in the shoulder before the injury, but there is temporary pain in the shoulder after the injury. The pain worsens the next day and lasts for 4 to 7 days. The patient cannot use the affected shoulder automatically. When the upper arm is extended and the shoulder joint is internally rotated and abducted, there is obvious tenderness between the greater tuberosity and the acromion. When the rotator cuff is completely ruptured, the shoulder abduction function will be seriously affected due to the loss of its stabilizing effect on the humeral head. When the rotator cuff is partially torn, the patient can still abduct the arm, but there is a 60° to 120° arc of pain.

3. Treatment Methods

1. Conservative treatment

The injured tendon should be given adequate rest and the healthy shoulder muscles should be strengthened. Patients should avoid pushing movements and instead perform stretching activities. Topical medications such as ointments can be used for local treatment. For more severe pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics can be taken orally.

2. Surgery

If the injury is severe, the rotator cuff is completely torn, or conservative treatment for 3 to 6 months is ineffective, surgical treatment is required.

With the development of arthroscopic technology, most surgical treatments for rotator cuff injuries are now minimally invasive treatments under arthroscopy, with better results. For partially huge tears or poor conditions, a small incision open surgery can be performed to repair the damaged rotator cuff.