20 Aug Rotator Cuff Injury Prevention
Injuries sustained to your joints can be especially difficult to deal with and manage. These areas are the focal points of movement, meaning any type of activity where you are not standing still can lead to pain. Here at New York Sports Medicine Institute, one of the more common issues we find our athletes dealing with are rotator cuff injuries. Fortunately, our sports medicine expert team can help. We can provide you with the prevention methods needed to stay healthy, and if those fail, offer the treatment that you need to get back to full strength.
Common Rotator Cuff Injuries
Before diving into prevention methods, it’s important to understand the common injuries that can plague your rotator cuff. When issues arise in this area, it is typically the result of overuse. Athletes who play sports that involve constant overhead motion, such as baseball, are more likely to suffer from rotator cuff injuries. Some of the most common injuries that Dr. Roth has seen and can help with include:
- Tendonitis.
- Bursitis.
- Tendon and muscle tears.
- Dislocations.
Symptoms To Watch For
Every athlete knows that sometimes pain is just part of the game. Minor aches and bruises will not always indicate that you have to miss time away from your sport. However, trying to play through serious injuries can lead to permanent damage taking place. You’ll want to prevent doing this at all costs if you want to protect your career. That is why if you begin to develop any of the below symptoms, you need to reach out to our team right away:
- A dull ache deep in the shoulder.
- Limited range of motion.
- Swelling.
- Pain that increases when trying to move your shoulder.
- Feelings of instability in the joint.
- Weakness throughout your arm.
Practice Your Mechanics
The first step in preventing rotator cuff injuries is to always focus on implementing the right mechanics for your sport. While you may dread long practices that are based on mechanics, in the long run, doing so will protect your body. Not only will this allow you to remain injury-free, it can also give you a much-needed step ahead of your competition.
Make Sure To Warm Up
Trying to participate in physical activity while your body is still stiff is the perfect way to sustain an injury. That is why you must take the time to go through a proper warm-up period before every game or practice. If you do not, you’ll increase the chance of suffering from a rotator cuff injury. To prevent this, we recommend performing the below for your next warm-up:
- Dynamic stretches.
- A brisk jog/walk
Strengthen The Area
One of the best ways to keep yourself protected from injury is to work on strengthening your rotator cuff. Whether it be during the offseason or once competitive play has started, it’s never too early or late to strengthen this area. Some of the exercises that are most effective in strengthening this area include:
- Shoulder presses.
- Side-lying external rotation.
- Reverse flys.
- Lawnmower pulls.
- High-to-low rows.
Treatments
Unfortunately, even after doing your part to avoid sustaining an injury, they can still occur for some patients. When this takes place, our expert orthopedist, Dr. Roth, should be your first call. By scheduling an appointment with us here at New York Sports Medicine Institute, we’ll be able to diagnose the issue at hand and determine what the best course of action moving forward with treatment will be for your condition. Examples of the methods that can be recommended by our staff include the following:
- Steroid injections.
- Surgeries such as arthroscopic tendon repair, tendon transfer, and shoulder replacements.
- Exercises and modalities
Contact Us
If you’re suffering with a rotator cuff injury, our team at New York Sports Medicine Institute will be there to help. Dr. Roth is well versed in preventing and treating injuries in this area and will do everything in his power to keep you off the sideline and in the game. To learn more about prevention methods, or to schedule an appointment for care, don’t hesitate to contact us today.