The Evaluation and Treatment of Patients Referred for Rotator Cuff Tears-Our Experience

Abstract

Reuven Lexier and Sahil Patel

Shoulder pain is a common complaint caused by various factors, including injury, overuse, or degenerative conditions [1,2]. One of the most frequent causes of shoulder pain is a rotator cuff injury, which can cause significant pain and weakness in the shoulder [1]. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint and help stabilize and move the shoulder. Rotator cuff tendinopathy is associated with certain risk factors, including age, smoking, and manual labor [3]. Diagnosing a rotator cuff injury requires a thorough physical examination, imaging tests, and evaluation by a specialist [4]. Ultrasound-guided interventional procedures have been found to be effective in treating shoulder pain [5]. Ultrasound imaging can also help tailor treatment for patients with acute shoulder pain in general practice and detect rotator-cuff syndrome [6,7]. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arthroscopic findings are also used to diagnose supraspinatus tears in patients with shoulder pain [8]. Steroid injections have been proven to be effective and safe for treating shoulder pain [9]. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent further damage and help patients regain shoulder function [1,10]. Our main objective was to determine the efficacy of the author’s double steroid injection technique in patients presenting with symptoms of shoulder pain in the presence of rotator cuff tears/pathology.

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