April 06 HealthBreak

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On HealthBreak--rotator cuff injuries

On HealthBreak…the best

defense against rotator cuff injuries in the shoulder.
Featured on one of Western Baptist Hospital’s weekly HealthBreak segments this month, Stephen Jackson, M.D., explains that the rotator cuff’s four tendons and associated muscles are susceptible to damage because the shoulder joint provides the widest range of motion in the body.
“It’s vulnerable to years of repetitive activity, such as lifting, or throwing a baseball over a lifetime,” said Jackson. “Hundreds of thousands of repetitions lead to damage or degeneration of these tendons.”
Rotator cuff injuries affect thousands of people each year, especially those older than 50, causing shoulder pain and limiting mobility.
Jackson said keeping fit is important in warding off potential rotator cuff injuries; if injuries do occur, physical therapy is an integral part of the healing process.