{"id":583,"date":"2020-12-17T21:02:34","date_gmt":"2020-12-18T04:02:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edmontonboneandjoint.ca\/?page_id=583"},"modified":"2022-11-09T15:33:37","modified_gmt":"2022-11-09T22:33:37","slug":"managing-rotator-cuff-pain-or-injury","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/edmontonboneandjoint.ca\/services\/shoulder\/managing-rotator-cuff-pain-or-injury\/","title":{"rendered":"Managing Rotator Cuff-Related Pain or Injury"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-kgsbrcxr-12a90c7a311d7f0b1f769a8794ffe4b2\">\n.avia-section.av-kgsbrcxr-12a90c7a311d7f0b1f769a8794ffe4b2{\nbackground-repeat:no-repeat;\nbackground-image:url(https:\/\/edmontonboneandjoint.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/edmonton-bone-and-joint-hdr_shoulder.jpg);\nbackground-position:0% 0%;\nbackground-attachment:scroll;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div id='hdr'  class='avia-section av-kgsbrcxr-12a90c7a311d7f0b1f769a8794ffe4b2 alternate_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_postcontent  avia-builder-el-first  avia-full-stretch avia-bg-style-scroll av-minimum-height av-minimum-height-custom av-height-custom  container_wrap sidebar_right'  data-section-bg-repeat='stretch' data-av_minimum_height_px='550'><div class='container av-section-cont-open' style='height:550px'><main  role=\"main\" itemprop=\"mainContentOfPage\"  class='template-page content  av-content-small alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-583'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-kgsbv8za-517d6935bb8f2f14a2a5e99af9ea632e\">\n#top .hr.hr-invisible.av-kgsbv8za-517d6935bb8f2f14a2a5e99af9ea632e{\nheight:24px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-kgsbv8za-517d6935bb8f2f14a2a5e99af9ea632e hr-invisible  avia-builder-el-1  el_before_av_one_full  avia-builder-el-first '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-29yy6-c822546af978b6407805b18c1145ebf8\">\n.flex_column.av-29yy6-c822546af978b6407805b18c1145ebf8{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-29yy6-c822546af978b6407805b18c1145ebf8 av_one_full  avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_hr  avia-builder-el-last  first flex_column_div av-animated-generic fade-in av-zero-column-padding  '     ><section  id=\"eb-pgtit\"  class='av_textblock_section av-kgsbqpv6-0af139f8a74ab4f9c46073de60de7871 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><blockquote>\n<h1>Managing Rotator<br \/>\nCuff-Related Pain or Injury<\/h1>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n\n[av_one_full first min_height='' vertical_alignment='' space='' row_boxshadow='' row_boxshadow_color='' row_boxshadow_width='10' custom_margin='' margin='0px' mobile_breaking='' border='' border_color='' radius='0px' padding='0px' column_boxshadow='' column_boxshadow_color='' column_boxshadow_width='10' background='bg_color' background_color='' background_gradient_color1='' background_gradient_color2='' background_gradient_direction='vertical' src='' background_position='top left' background_repeat='no-repeat' highlight='' highlight_size='' animation='' link='' linktarget='' link_hover='' title_attr='' alt_attr='' mobile_display='' id='' custom_class='' aria_label='' av_uid='av-bbm8v']\r\n[av_hr class='invisible' icon_select='no' icon='ue808' font='entypo-fontello' position='left' shadow='no-shadow' height='-34' custom_border='av-border-fat' custom_width='100px' custom_margin_top='0px' custom_margin_bottom='8px' custom_border_color='#b1c52e' custom_icon_color='' id='' custom_class='' av_uid='av-jxq9gmr4' admin_preview_bg='']\r\n\r\n[av_codeblock wrapper_element='' wrapper_element_attributes='' codeblock_type='' alb_description='' id='' custom_class='' av_uid='av-kjxju7uo']\r\n[av_breadcrumbs]\r\n[\/av_codeblock]\r\n[\/av_one_full]\r\n\r\n\n<div class='flex_column_table av-mj03w-7bff5fed12f8bf07307cad3e336b2ef0 sc-av_one_half av-equal-height-column-flextable'>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-mj03w-7bff5fed12f8bf07307cad3e336b2ef0\">\n.flex_column.av-mj03w-7bff5fed12f8bf07307cad3e336b2ef0{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-mj03w-7bff5fed12f8bf07307cad3e336b2ef0 av_one_half  avia-builder-el-5  el_after_av_postcontent  el_before_av_one_half  avia-builder-el-first  first flex_column_table_cell av-equal-height-column av-align-middle av-animated-generic pop-up av-zero-column-padding  '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-jnw5fpmv-8e69c58f778aaa6b2eab52d90c1ca3e6 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h2>Pain Control<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-jxq9gmr4-c1dd06fd848263c281cc78b6312a4810\">\n#top .hr.av-jxq9gmr4-c1dd06fd848263c281cc78b6312a4810{\nmargin-top:0px;\nmargin-bottom:8px;\n}\n.hr.av-jxq9gmr4-c1dd06fd848263c281cc78b6312a4810 .hr-inner{\nwidth:50px;\nborder-color:#b1c52e;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-jxq9gmr4-c1dd06fd848263c281cc78b6312a4810 hr-custom  avia-builder-el-7  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock  hr-left hr-icon-no'><span class='hr-inner inner-border-av-border-fat'><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-jnw5fpmv-8e69c58f778aaa6b2eab52d90c1ca3e6 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Heat and cold can be used for short term pain relief. Try both to see which works best for you.<\/p>\n<p>Pain medication such as acetaminophen, aspirin or ibuprofen can help reduce the initial pain and inflammation so you can get active and start exercising. Check with your doctor first to ensure that the pain medication is right for you if you have other medical conditions. Take the recommended dose at the recommended intervals to manage your pain. If your pain is not improving with over-the-counter medication see your doctor and they may prescribe a medication that can help you.<\/p>\n<p>Some patients have reported doing pendular exercise throughout the day and night helps reduce pain. Try to see if it works for you.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>\n<div class='av-flex-placeholder'><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-mj03w-2a42e3fec4a5d85625c3a649eb1c371b\">\n@keyframes av_boxShadowEffect_av-mj03w-2a42e3fec4a5d85625c3a649eb1c371b-column {\n0%   { box-shadow:  0 0 0 0 #ededed; opacity: 1; }\n100% { box-shadow:  0 0 10px 0 #ededed; opacity: 1; }\n}\n.flex_column.av-mj03w-2a42e3fec4a5d85625c3a649eb1c371b{\nbox-shadow: 0 0 10px 0 #ededed;\nborder-width:2px;\nborder-style:solid;\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:30px 30px 30px 30px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-mj03w-2a42e3fec4a5d85625c3a649eb1c371b av_one_half  avia-builder-el-9  el_after_av_one_half  el_before_av_one_full  flex_column_table_cell av-equal-height-column av-align-middle av-animated-generic fade-in shadow-not-animated  '     ><p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-kitc3991-245174a2acf110648f3da92ca6f42589\">\n.avia-image-container.av-kitc3991-245174a2acf110648f3da92ca6f42589 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-kitc3991-245174a2acf110648f3da92ca6f42589 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-kitc3991-245174a2acf110648f3da92ca6f42589 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-10  el_before_av_hr  avia-builder-el-first '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class='wp-image-584 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-584 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/edmontonboneandjoint.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Managing-Rotator-Cuff-Pain-img-01.jpg\" alt='Managing-Rotator-Cuff-Pain-img-01' title='Managing-Rotator-Cuff-Pain-img-01'  height=\"400\" width=\"600\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/edmontonboneandjoint.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Managing-Rotator-Cuff-Pain-img-01.jpg 600w, https:\/\/edmontonboneandjoint.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Managing-Rotator-Cuff-Pain-img-01-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-kitcbo4p-d7c031fcb207dbe923f3f4c43afedcf3\">\n#top .hr.hr-invisible.av-kitcbo4p-d7c031fcb207dbe923f3f4c43afedcf3{\nheight:10px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-kitcbo4p-d7c031fcb207dbe923f3f4c43afedcf3 hr-invisible  avia-builder-el-11  el_after_av_image  el_before_av_textblock '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-jnw5fpmv-8e69c58f778aaa6b2eab52d90c1ca3e6 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Bend at the waist so your arm is dangling down. You may want to hold onto a table or chair for support. Gently rock your body weight in a circular motion to move your arm in a circular pattern about the size of a dinner plate. Do this 10 times in both a clockwise and counter clockwise direction.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div><\/div><!--close column table wrapper. Autoclose: 1 -->\n<div class='flex_column_table av-mj03w-7bff5fed12f8bf07307cad3e336b2ef0 sc-av_one_full av-equal-height-column-flextable'>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-mj03w-7bff5fed12f8bf07307cad3e336b2ef0\">\n.flex_column.av-mj03w-7bff5fed12f8bf07307cad3e336b2ef0{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-mj03w-7bff5fed12f8bf07307cad3e336b2ef0 av_one_full  avia-builder-el-13  el_after_av_one_half  el_before_av_one_half  first flex_column_table_cell av-equal-height-column av-align-middle av-animated-generic pop-up av-zero-column-padding  column-top-margin'     ><style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-jxq9gmr4-99c51941f506f70fed5ae287fed79f8a\">\n#top .hr.av-jxq9gmr4-99c51941f506f70fed5ae287fed79f8a{\nmargin-top:0px;\nmargin-bottom:8px;\n}\n.hr.av-jxq9gmr4-99c51941f506f70fed5ae287fed79f8a .hr-inner{\nwidth:80%;\nborder-color:#b1c52e;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-jxq9gmr4-99c51941f506f70fed5ae287fed79f8a hr-custom  avia-builder-el-14  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  hr-center hr-icon-no'><span class='hr-inner inner-border-av-border-fat'><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--close column table wrapper. Autoclose: 1 -->\n<div class='flex_column_table av-mj03w-b3b95ea277acd00eb40aa4bff8667533 sc-av_one_half av-equal-height-column-flextable'>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-mj03w-b3b95ea277acd00eb40aa4bff8667533\">\n.flex_column.av-mj03w-b3b95ea277acd00eb40aa4bff8667533{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-mj03w-b3b95ea277acd00eb40aa4bff8667533 av_one_half  avia-builder-el-15  el_after_av_one_full  el_before_av_one_half  first flex_column_table_cell av-equal-height-column av-align-top av-animated-generic pop-up av-zero-column-padding  column-top-margin'     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-jnw5fpmv-8e69c58f778aaa6b2eab52d90c1ca3e6 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h3>Positioning<\/h3>\n<p>Regardless of whether you are sitting or lying down, ensure your arm is supported in a position where your elbow\/hand does not fall or rest behind the midline of your body.<\/p>\n<p><strong>In sitting<\/strong>, use an arm rest or place a pillow under your elbow to support your arm. Make sure you are not reaching down to the arm rest or propping it too high, such that you shoulder is pushed up toward your ear. You may also feel more comfortable with support under your elbow while driving.<\/p>\n<p><strong>When lying on your back<\/strong>, place a pillow or folded towel under your elbow and upper arm to keep it level or above the midline of your body. You may also find having the pillow placed under and between your arm and chest more comfortable.<\/p>\n<p>Many people find it very uncomfortable or painful to lie on the injured or painful side.<\/p>\n<p><strong>When lying on your good side<\/strong>, you may want to place a large pillow in front of you to \u201chug\u201d and support your arm from dropping across the front of your body or place a pillow between your elbow and side.<\/p>\n<p>In extreme cases of night pain some patients have found it helpful to sleep in a more upright position such as a recliner or propped up on pillows in a slightly reclined sitting position. Make sure to support behind your elbow so your elbow doesn\u2019t fall back behind the midline of your body.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n<div class='av-flex-placeholder'><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-mj03w-f03ea511fe8813b3a682c5f3f0f85bb4\">\n.flex_column.av-mj03w-f03ea511fe8813b3a682c5f3f0f85bb4{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-mj03w-f03ea511fe8813b3a682c5f3f0f85bb4 av_one_half  avia-builder-el-17  el_after_av_one_half  el_before_av_hr  flex_column_table_cell av-equal-height-column av-align-top av-animated-generic pop-up av-zero-column-padding  column-top-margin'     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-jnw5fpmv-8e69c58f778aaa6b2eab52d90c1ca3e6 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h3>Movement<\/h3>\n<p>Movement is important and it can help us heal. There are, however, certain do\u2019s and don\u2019ts when recovering from rotator cuff related pain or injury.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Keep all arm and hand movement in front of your body. Do not reach behind you with your hand such as reaching into the back seat of your vehicle. Support your arm so your elbow and hand are always in line with or in front of your shoulder.<\/li>\n<li>Minimize prolonged repetitive positions or activities at or above shoulder height.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid heavy lifting, pushing or pulling with the affected arm at home or at the gym.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid long lever lifting. Keep anything of weight or load close to your body. Follow the \u201cfront burners of the stove\u201d rule \u2013 do not reach out beyond this distance.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Keep good posture!<\/strong> Posture affects our shoulder blade position where the rotator cuff muscles are attached. Good posture prevents impingement, giving space for the rotator cuff to move through when you lift your arms. It also recruits the muscles that attach your shoulder blades to your spine (scapular muscles). When you use these muscles your rotator cuff has support when you lift your arms or anything of weight. Without these muscles, your rotator cuff has to strain more to lift your arm which can cause pain.<\/li>\n<li>When moving your arm\/shoulder, ensure you do not shrug your shoulder toward your ear. Keep your shoulder down when lifting your arm up. This will minimize neck related issues and stress on the rotator cuff (impingement).<\/li>\n<li>It is okay to work into soreness or stiffness when doing exercises but sharp pain, pinching pain or catching is not. You should be stretching to, but not far beyond the edge of discomfort. Pushing to the proper limit will slowly tell the body where to heal and lengthen to improve mobility.<\/li>\n<li>The general rule is <strong>IF IT HURTS DON\u2019T DO IT<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div><\/div><!--close column table wrapper. Autoclose: 1 -->\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-jxq9gmr4-93181148309fa67229f086404e243f67\">\n#top .hr.hr-invisible.av-jxq9gmr4-93181148309fa67229f086404e243f67{\nheight:60px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-jxq9gmr4-93181148309fa67229f086404e243f67 hr-invisible  avia-builder-el-19  el_after_av_one_half  el_before_av_one_full '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class='flex_column_table av-mj03w-7bff5fed12f8bf07307cad3e336b2ef0 sc-av_one_full av-equal-height-column-flextable'>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-mj03w-7bff5fed12f8bf07307cad3e336b2ef0\">\n.flex_column.av-mj03w-7bff5fed12f8bf07307cad3e336b2ef0{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-mj03w-7bff5fed12f8bf07307cad3e336b2ef0 av_one_full  avia-builder-el-20  el_after_av_hr  avia-builder-el-last  first flex_column_table_cell av-equal-height-column av-align-middle av-animated-generic pop-up av-zero-column-padding  '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-jnw5fpmv-8e69c58f778aaa6b2eab52d90c1ca3e6 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Would you like this information for later?<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-jxq9gmr4-99c51941f506f70fed5ae287fed79f8a\">\n#top .hr.av-jxq9gmr4-99c51941f506f70fed5ae287fed79f8a{\nmargin-top:0px;\nmargin-bottom:8px;\n}\n.hr.av-jxq9gmr4-99c51941f506f70fed5ae287fed79f8a .hr-inner{\nwidth:80%;\nborder-color:#b1c52e;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-jxq9gmr4-99c51941f506f70fed5ae287fed79f8a hr-custom  avia-builder-el-22  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_button  hr-center hr-icon-no'><span class='hr-inner inner-border-av-border-fat'><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div><br \/>\n<div  class='avia-button-wrap av-jnw5gt9x-c86b5c3c640bb596b490638a4dc788c5-wrap avia-button-center  avia-builder-el-23  el_after_av_hr  avia-builder-el-last '><a href='https:\/\/edmontonboneandjoint.ca\/resources\/3-Managing-Rotator-Cuff-Pain-or-Injury.pdf'  class='avia-button av-jnw5gt9x-c86b5c3c640bb596b490638a4dc788c5 av-link-btn avia-icon_select-yes-right-icon avia-size-large avia-position-center av-icon-on-hover avia-color-theme-color-highlight'  target=\"_blank\"  rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" ><span class='avia_iconbox_title' >Download PDF<\/span><span class='avia_button_icon avia_button_icon_right' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue82d' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/a><\/div><\/p><\/div><\/div><!--close column table wrapper. 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