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While torn rotator cuff symptoms are more commonly experienced by people who are middle aged, this is an injury which can affect anyone at any age. A torn rotator cuff can be due to an accident or more commonly, from repetitive stress injury. In the case of torn rotator cuffs stemming from an accident, the problem is immediately apparent. However, many with rotator cuff injuries due to repetitive strain don’t notice the problem for some time since the damage and symptoms worsen gradually over a period of time.

Typically, the first sign of these injuries are minor throbbing pains which recur periodically. In general, people shrug this pain off, often taking an over the counter pain reliever and ignoring the problem. This is a big mistake, since these people tend to continue working their shoulders, causing further damage. When the pain reliever wears off, the pain returns worse than ever, often along with restricted mobility of the affected shoulder. Other signs of a rotator cuff injury include weakness, stiffness and swelling in the injured shoulder joint. However, since gradual strain is the most common cause of this type of injury, these symptoms will show up before there is actual tearing of muscles or tendons, meaning that the worst can be averted if action is taken.

When people ignore the torn rotator cuff symptoms, they can also develop what is known as adhesive capsulitis or in common parlance called the frozen shoulder. In such a state, the patient cannot even perform common tasks like putting on their clothes or driving a car.

It is often not until torn rotator cuff symptoms become truly unbearable that many people begin to pay attention. The symptoms worsen over time as the rotator cuff becomes increasingly inflamed – and once the symptoms have worsened to this point, the condition is severe enough that it can take years to make a full recovery. Instead of letting the condition progress to this point, it’s best to pay attention to symptoms and start using a rotator cuff exercise program once you begin to experience symptoms. Taking pain relievers does nothing but temporarily mask the symptoms. This makes it all too easy to worsen the damage by continuing to strain the rotator cuff, meaning that the symptoms will return with increasing severity as the damage continues to be done.

Anyone whose work is physically demanding or is active in athletics needs to be particularly vigilant in watching for torn rotator cuff symptoms. As the inflammation worsens, symptoms such as frozen shoulder can be nearly disabling.

The best way to prevent torn rotator cuff symptoms from affecting your life is to get diagnosed and treated early. The diagnostic tools used to establish a torn rotator cuff include x-rays, ultrasound, MRI, arthograms and physical examination. The treatment depends on the severity of the injury and of the torn rotator cuff symptoms; these may include heat or cold, exercise and stretching, physical therapy and in very severe cases, steroids.

Tom Nicholson spends his time helping carpal tunnel sufferers. You can click here to find out more regarding having asore wrist.