TENNIS MEDICINE
Fig 1—The rotator cuff
By Dr. Eric Price he rotator cuff (see Fig. 1) is a group of muscles that originates on the shoulder blade (the scapula) and insert on the top of the arm bone (the humerus). The function of the rotator cuff is to move the shoulder. Often, the rotator cuff is inflamed or torn in people with painful shoulders. People typically complain of difficulty with overhead activities, like reaching for items off a high shelf, brushing the back of the
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Rotator Cuff Tears
Fig 2—Torn rotator cuff
hair or fastening a bra. Often, people have difficulty sleeping on the painful shoulder. Torn rotator cuff To evaluate for a rotator cuff tear (see Fig. 2), a doctor will perform an examination after a history is taken. X-rays are performed, and often an MRI is ordered. The X-rays will evaluate the bones in the shoulder, but not the rotator cuff itself. The MRI will show the muscles and tendons around the shoulder and allow the doctor to see the rotator cuff. If the MRI shows a tear in the rotator cuff, then surgery may be recommended.
Long Island Tennis Magazine • September/October 2016 • LITennisMag.com
Fig 3—The bursa is a fluid filled sac on top of the rotator cuff
Bursitis If no tear is present, an MRI may show rotator cuff “tendonitis.” Tendonitis is inflammation of the rotator cuff without tearing. This can be responsible for producing shoulder pain. Tendonitis often occurs with “bursitis.” Bursitis (see Fig. 3) is inflammation of a fluid filled sac (bursa) on top of the rotator cuff that serves to lubricate the movement of the shoulder. The inflamed bursa can be pinched with overhead activities, causing pain. Bursitis is very common among tennis players. Many factors contribute to bursitis, or rotator cuff inflammation, including poor