Rotator Cuff Injuries, Prevention and Rehabilitation

Rotator cuff injuries are a common cause of shoulder pain, with the elderly population having a higher percentage of rotator cuff injuries to the younger population due to reduced blood supply to the rotator cuff with age.
Non-surgical treatment is highly effective for rotator cuff injuries with a focus on increasing shoulder range of motion and strength to assist with increase in blood supply.
Some modifiable risk factors for rotator cuff tears include; posture, smoking and poor or insufficient diet.
Interestingly some of the non-modifiable risk factors include; age (with increasing age comes increased risk), hand dominance, gender, age and pathology of the other shoulder.
With consideration of the modifiable risk factors we should aim to strengthen and improve posture (reduce forward and internally rotated shoulders and forward head posture), quit smoking if you currently smoke and eat a diet that includes the following key components to support our tendons, while this list is not exhaustive, it provides an area of consideration;
 

• Collagen: Tendons and ligaments are largely made up by collagen, regular intake can help to nourish them and also assist in repair
• Vitamin C – Assists with rebuilding collagen
• Omega 3 fish oils – A natural anti-inflammatory which is important for wound healing and a proper immune response.
• Zinc – Important for tissue development and repair
• Glucosamine – Assists with increasing tendon to bone healing