Did you know that your shoulder’s range of motion is greater than that of any other joint in your body? This intricate and hardworking structure allows you to perform countless daily activities ranging from scrubbing your back in the shower to reaching for an item on a high shelf to getting dressed in the morning. You might not give it much thought—until it starts to hurt.

Because you use your shoulders in so many different ways, you probably won’t be surprised to learn that this complex joint is susceptible to injuries, with one of the most common being a rotator cuff tear. If you have shoulder pain, an orthopedic specialist at Premier Bone & Joint Centers can perform a physical examination, check your range of motion and muscle strength, and order imaging studies to confirm your diagnosis. We offer on-site imaging services at all locations, including our satellite clinic in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

What Is a Rotator Cuff Tear?

The rotator cuff is a group of tendons and muscles that surround and stabilize the shoulder. Because the rotator cuff plays an important role in joint mechanics, such as lifting and rotating the arm, a tear can significantly limit shoulder function. This type of injury can occur suddenly through trauma, such as a fall onto an outstretched arm. It can also develop gradually due to repetitive motion, such as overhead lifting, or age-related degeneration.

Allow the Professionals at Premier Bone & Joint Centers to Help

The board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons at Premier Bone & Joint Centers have extensive experience in treating rotator cuff tears using both conservative and surgical measures. We emphasize nonsurgical treatment whenever possible, so we typically recommend that our patients begin with physical therapy, joint injections, therapeutic massage, and/or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). If conservative therapy does not produce sufficient results, we may suggest open or arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery.

If you would like to learn more about rotator cuff tear treatment, contact Premier Bone & Joint Centers today. We have a satellite clinic conveniently located in Rock Springs, WY.