Rotator Cuff Tears in Northampton & Corby
Your Local Experts in Shoulder Pain
Are you struggling with Shoulder PAIN and looking for effective, professional treatment? At Team Rehab UK Ltd, our dedicated clinics in Brixworth and Corby offer premium physiotherapy services to help you regain your mobility and live pain-free. With a minimum of 24 years of experience each, our highly skilled chartered physiotherapists are committed to providing personalised care tailored to your specific needs.
Understanding Shoulder Rotator Cuff Tears
Introduction to the Shoulder Joint and Rotator Cuff
The shoulder is a complex ball-and-socket joint formed by the scapula (shoulder blade), clavicle (collar bone), and humerus (upper arm bone). The scapula forms the socket, while the head of the humerus forms the ball, enabling a wide range of motion.
The Rotator cuff is made up of a group of four muscles:
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Supraspinatus - The supraspinatus muscle allows you to lift and rotate your arm. It extends from the top of your scapula (shoulder blade) to the head of your humerus (upper arm bone).
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Subscapularis - The subscapularis muscle enables you to extend your arm outward, away from your body. It connects the central part of your scapula (shoulder blade) to the lower portion of the head of your humerus (upper arm bone).
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Infraspinatus - The infraspinatus muscle assists in rotating your arm. It extends from the lower part of your scapula (shoulder blade) and attaches to the humerus, located just behind the supraspinatus muscle.
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Teres Minor - The teres minor muscle also aids in turning and rotating your arm. It connects to the outer edge of your scapula (shoulder blade) and attaches to the humerus below the infraspinatus muscle.
It plays a crucial role in maintaining shoulder stability and preventing the humerus from dislocating. It also aids in lifting and rotating the arm.
The 4 muscles and their tendons that make up the shoulder rotator cuff: Subscapularis, Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus and Teres Minor
What is a Rotator Cuff Tear?
A rotator cuff tear occurs when the tendons of the rotator cuff are damaged or torn. This can happen suddenly due to trauma or gradually from degeneration and ageing. Rotator cuff tears are a common cause of shoulder pain and weakness, particularly in middle-aged and elderly individuals, although they can occur at any age from injury.
Causes of Rotator Cuff Tears
Several factors can lead to a rotator cuff tear:
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Trauma: Sudden injuries, such as falling onto an outstretched arm or lifting a heavy object, can cause a tear.
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Degeneration: Age-related wear and tear can weaken the tendons, making them more susceptible to tears.
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Repetitive Actions: Activities involving repetitive overhead movements, such as swimming and tennis, can strain the rotator cuff.
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Bone Spurs: Overgrowth of shoulder bones can pinch the tendons, leading to tears over time.
Symptoms of Rotator Cuff Tears
Common symptoms of a rotator cuff tear include:
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Pain in the shoulder: Often accompanied by swelling and tenderness.
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Weakness: Difficulty lifting or rotating the arm.
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Altered range of motion: Limited movement due to pain and weakness.
Rotator cuff tears can be partial or complete. In a partial tear, the tendon is damaged but still attached, allowing some movement. A complete tear involves the tendon detaching from the bone, severely limiting arm movement.
Diagnosis of Rotator Cuff Tears
Accurate diagnosis of shoulder conditions begins with a detailed review of the patient's medical history and a thorough physical examination to assess shoulder mechanics, including mobility, strength, and positioning. Our physiotherapists in Northampton and Corby are highly skilled in understanding the unique mechanics associated with different shoulder conditions, ensuring precise diagnosis from the outset whenever possible.
In cases where the diagnosis is not straightforward, or if conservative management has not yielded the expected results, our specialist physiotherapists may recommend further investigations such as X-rays and MRI scans. These imaging techniques, combined with the clinical information gathered, help evaluate the extent of injury and inflammation.
Sometimes, an arthrogram, where dye is injected into the shoulder joint, is used for a more detailed assessment. This comprehensive approach confirms the differential diagnosis and provides a more detailed and informed basis for clinical treatment moving forward.
Ensuring Optimal Treatment Outcomes
At Team Rehab UK, we are Northampton based physiotherapists we emphasise that treatments which are not effective should not continue beyond accepted clinical timescales without further in-depth investigations. We prefer these additional assessments to be conducted by consultant specialists outside our company’s financial interests. This approach ensures we receive an unbiased second opinion, guaranteeing that the care you receive is the most clinically appropriate.
Treatment Options for Rotator Cuff Tears
Treatment aims to alleviate pain and improve shoulder function. Options include:
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Conservative Treatments:
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Rest: Avoiding activities that strain the shoulder.
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Pain Medications: To reduce pain and inflammation.
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Physiotherapy Northampton: Exercises to increase mobility and strengthen shoulder muscles.
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Steroid Injections: To reduce inflammation and pain if other treatments are ineffective however steroids will temporarily weaken the soft tissue so it is vital to be under of a physiotherapy specialist to ensure you have a pre-planned regime to follow during this period of recovery.
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Surgical Treatments: Surgery is considered when conservative treatments do not improve symptoms, symptoms persist for six months to a year, the tear is large (over 3 cm), or there is significant loss of function. Rotator cuff repair involves stitching the torn tendon back to its attachment on the humerus. Surgery can be performed using open or minimally invasive arthroscopic methods.
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Arthroscopic Surgery: Involves small incisions around the shoulder joint, through which an arthroscope and small surgical instruments are inserted. This method results in smaller incisions, minimal soft tissue trauma, less pain, faster healing, lower infection rates, and earlier mobilisation.
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Open Surgery: Involves a large incision over the shoulder.
Risks and Complications
As with any surgery, there are risks and potential complications, including:
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Infection
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Nerve or blood vessel damage
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Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis)
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Stiffness
Recovery and Prognosis
Rotator cuff tears are a common cause of shoulder pain, particularly in middle-aged and elderly individuals. While conservative treatments can provide relief for partial tears, complete tears may require surgery. Recovery of functional mobility varies from individual to individual and depends on active participation in post-surgical rehabilitation exercises.
Patient Education Video - Rotator Cuff Tear
At Team Rehab UK, we are dedicated to helping our patients understand the causes of their symptoms, empowering them to effectively manage their condition both during and after their treatment.
Please note that some of our video content may have been developed with at American market in mind and as such, may contain different medical terminology, or approaches, compared to those we use in the UK. The content however remains highly informative and beneficial. You should seek advice from your UK based specialist before acting on, or implementing any advice contained, or inferred in the video, to ensure it complies with UK best practice standards.
Summary
If you are experiencing shoulder pain or suspect a rotator cuff tear, seeking prompt physiotherapy in Northampton can help manage your symptoms and expedite recovery. Our expert team at Team Rehab is dedicated to providing comprehensive shoulder physiotherapy in Northampton. We work closely with shoulder specialists and consultants to deliver tailored treatment plans. Additionally, we are recognised by major insurance providers such as Bupa Northampton and Axa Northampton, ensuring that you receive the best care possible.
Book your appointment at Team Rehab uk in Northampton (Brixworth) or Corby, and take the first step towards a pain-free life. Share this information with friends or family who might benefit from our services, and let's help everyone get back to their best selves.
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Convenient Locations in Brixworth and Corby
Brixworth Clinic
Our main rehabilitation centre in Northampton (Brixworth) was purpose built with the sole aim of providing the best opportunities for our expert team to provide you with the best recovery potential. Open in April 2024, the clinic is conveniently located and easily accessible, offering a welcoming environment where you can receive the highest standard of care. We are committed to making your visit as comfortable and effective as possible.
Corby Clinic
The Corby clinic is a much smaller set up within the Lakeside medical centre but we strive to deliver the same exceptional physiotherapy services, within the confines of the setting, ensuring that high-quality physiotherapy is available to the wider community. Our dedicated team is ready to help you overcome back pain and improve your quality of life.
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