Solutions for Shoulder Pain
Baptist Health Lexington: Solutions for Shoulder Pain
Orthopedic surgeon KAVEH SAJADI, MD, explains the reasons for shoulder pain and describes treatments to help patients return to their normal activities without needing surgery.
Solutions for Shoulder Pain Health Talks Transcript
Kaveh Sajadi, MD, Orthopaedic Surgery, Kentucky Bone & Joint Surgeons
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that encircle the shoulder. The cuff itself is referred to as the tendons of those four muscles coalescing as they wrap around the ball. Their function is to stabilize the ball in the socket as well as to allow the other muscles to work more efficiently. Rotator cuff disease encompasses a broad spectrum of problems. There are two major causes of it. The first is traumatic events, so a discrete injury. The second is a natural consequence of aging and degeneration. The most common reason people come to see me is pain. Often they may have weakness or they may not even realize they have weakness because the pain is so significant for them. The pain may occur only with certain activities or rest pain, which may indicate there’s some component of inflammation involved in this. Non-surgical treatment is most appropriate for most people. Studies have shown that up to 80 percent of people with a symptomatic rotator cuff tear can be made asymptomatic with a course of physical therapy or home exercises, and that may last at least up to two years. The satisfaction of helping somebody return to the activities of their desire is what I love about my job.
