Shoulder Injuries & Rotator Cuff Injuries Explained Through Detailed Anatomy

IN THIS VIDEO:
Shoulder joint explanation
Highlighting key muscles
Explanation of related high-risk movements
Discussion of the nerve impact of shoulder injury
Explanation of bursal thickening and bursitis
Description of the methods to treat shoulder injury
This is an in depth look at the muscles that make up the rotator cuff in the shoulder joint which is one of the most common injuries that we see in our clinic. I find that really getting my client to understand what is happening in the shoulder helps frame why I am recommending a specific treatment.
The shoulder is a complicated joint and it’s stability comes from the 4 key muscles that make up the rotator cuff and stabilise the arm (humerus bone) to the shoulder blade (scapula). The muscles involved are the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis muscles. They are often partially torn or ruptured during intense movements of the arms. The most commonly torn muscle is the supraspinatus muscle which primarily is stabilising during overhead movements and movements where the arm is outstretched at around shoulder height.
In general, a tear can have an initial freak incident but can easily become gradually worse if not treated properly. Usually, the body can heal through small tears with minimal pain or discomfort but the muscle often becomes tighter which can lead to future issues and injuries.