What is the Rotator Cuff?

The rotator cuff is a group of 4 muscles that all originate on the shoulder blade and insert onto your humerus, known as your upper arm bone.   The end of the humerus forms the ball of the shoulder joint, and the role of the rotator cuff is to hold the ball into the socket formed by a cavity in the scapula. 

The rotator cuff is frequently injured when the task performed with the arm requires greater strength than the rotator cuff strength has.  There will often be pain in the lateral (outside) part of the upper arm after a rotator cuff injury.  Normally there is nothing wrong with your deltoid muscle; this pain is typically referred pain from the injury to your rotator cuff. 

As with all injuries, it is always good to be seen by your physician and/or get imaging such as an x-ray to identify the specific problem(s). Once you are over the acute stage and are on your way to healing, following 3 exercises you can try to improve your function. We recommend one to three sets of 10-15 repetitions twice per day, as long as doing the exercises is not causing pain

If you are not improving after 2 weeks, please contact Whitefish Therapy at 406-862-WFPT (9378) to meet with one of our physical therapists who can provide you with a specialized rehabilitation program.

  Additionally, Scott Ruta, MSPT, Owner of Whitefish Therapy, and Amanda Wilson, co-founder with Scott of Nyack Exchange, have created a PT IN A BOX® home rehab kit specific to the shoulder. The at-home training program with instructional videos and a hard-copy booklet is a great tool for at-home rehab.  If interested, please visit nyackexchange.com.

 If you are unable to get your knee straight, to get your thigh muscle to contract fully, to get full knee flexion (a full bend), or to perform wall squats within one to two weeks, contact Whitefish Therapy at 406-862-9378 to see one of our physical therapists.