11.6 Rotator Cuff Injury

Question 1

Describe innervation of the rotator cuff muscles

Answer 1

Supra/Infra: Suprascapular
Teres minor: axillary
Subscapular: upper and lower subscapular nerves

Question 2

List 6 kinds of rotator cuff injury

Answer 2

• Impingement
• Bursitis
• Tear
• Calcific tendonitis (calcium deposits in tendons)
• Tendonosis
• Frozen shoulder (thickening and stiffening of connective tissue around shoulder joint)

Question 3

Which imaging modalities can be used in the setting of suspected rotator cuff injury?

Answer 3

• Ultrasound
• MRI
• X Ray

Question 4

What investigations might we do in the setting of suspected rotator cuff injury?

Answer 4

• Temp (fever?)
• Bloods (CRP, ESR; inflam)
• X Ray
• Ultrasound
• MRI

Question 5

How might we treat rotator cuff injury?

Answer 5

• Time (+ Rest)
• Physiotherapy
• Smoking cessation
• Corticosteroid injection
• Surgery

(Wherever possible, progress from simplest and lowest risk upward)