WHAT’S A ROTATOR CUFF TEAR?

The rotator cuff tendons of the shoulder are very susceptible to gradual “atraumatic” tears over time from repetitive use, and acute “traumatic” tears that can occur from a sudden, violent force imparted onto the shoulder, like from a fall or while playing sports. When the rotator cuff is torn, it is often painful, particularly if the tear is traumatic. Rotator cuff tears can also cause biomechanical dysfunction, leading to an inability to elevate the shoulder.

SYMPTOMS OF A ROTATOR CUFF TEAR

Whether a tear develops suddenly or gradually, it can cause significant pain and limit your ability to move your shoulder. Typical symptoms include:

  • Pain at rest or during certain movements
  • Pain that interrupts sleep, especially when lying on the affected side
  • Weakness when lifting or rotating your arm
  • A crackling or popping sensation with movement
  • Sudden, intense pain after an injury — sometimes accompanied by a snapping sound

With chronic tears, discomfort often worsens over time. Tasks like combing your hair, brushing your teeth, or reaching overhead can become painful or nearly impossible.

CHRONIC ROTATOR CUFF TEARS

Over time, the rotator cuff can begin to degenerate — especially after the age of 40. “Chronic” or “atraumatic” tears typically develop gradually due to repetitive use, wear and tear, or decreased blood flow to the tendons.

Common causes include:

  • Bone Spurs: As we age, small bone overgrowths can form on the acromion bone. These spurs can rub against the rotator cuff tendons, leading to tears.
  • Repetitive Motion: Overhead activities in sports (like baseball, tennis, or swimming) or jobs involving heavy lifting can stress the tendons.
  • Decreased Blood Supply: Aging reduces blood flow to the tendons, slowing the body’s natural repair process.

ACUTE ROTATOR CUFF TEARS

Unlike chronic tears, acute rotator cuff injuries happen suddenly — often during a fall, while lifting something heavy, or from a quick, jerking motion. These injuries can occur alone or alongside other shoulder trauma, such as a dislocation or collarbone fracture.

A minor acute tear may heal within six to eight weeks, but severe tears may require medical treatment or even surgery to restore proper function.

For more information, talk to a healthcare provider.

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WHAT ARE SHOULDER FRACTURES?

Our shoulders are one of the most flexible and important joints in the body, enabling a wide range of movements. However, because of their mobility and structure, they are also vulnerable to injuries, especially fractures. A shoulder fracture occurs when there’s a break in one of the bones that make up the shoulder joint.

◼️Acromioclavicular Joint (AC Joint):
Located at the top of the shoulder, formed by the acromion (part of the scapula) and the clavicle.
◼️Glenohumeral Joint:
A ball-and-socket joint formed by the humeral head (“the ball”) and the glenoid (part of the scapula).

When any of these bones break, the result is a shoulder fracture, which can vary in severity and location.

TYPES OF SHOULDER FRACTURES?

Now you know that three bones form the shoulder joint; hence, the location of the break defines the type of shoulder fracture. Here are the three types you should know:

◼️Clavicle Fracture
A break in the collarbone, usually caused by trauma such as falls, motor vehicle accidents, or sports injuries.
◼️Proximal Humerus Fracture
This occurs in the upper part of the arm bone, near the shoulder joint. It often results from direct trauma, falls, or collisions. The humeral head, known as “the ball” of the joint, is typically involved.
◼️Scapula Fracture
The scapula (shoulder blade) is a strong bone, so breaking it usually requires significant trauma, such as high-impact sports injuries or automobile accidents.

SYMPTOMS OF SHOULDER FRACTURES?

Fractures are painful injuries, and shoulder fractures are no exception. Common signs and symptoms include:

◼️Severe shoulder pain
◼️Difficulty or inability to move the affected arm
◼️Swelling and bruising around the shoulder
◼️Tenderness to touch
◼️A visible bump at the fracture site (common in clavicle fractures)
◼️Discoloration around the upper arm

WHAT CAUSES SHOULDER FRACTURES?

◼️Automobile accidents: High-energy collisions are a leading cause.
◼️Sports injuries: Contact sports like football and hockey increase the risk.
◼️Falls: The direction of the fall often determines which part of the shoulder is injured.
◼️Direct trauma: A heavy blow or strike to the shoulder can also cause fractures.

For more information, talk to a healthcare provider.

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WHAT IS OSTEOPOROSIS?

Osteoporosis is a bone disease where you suffer from excessive breaking of your bones, lesser creation of new bones, or both. This may result in the weakening of bones.

Osteoporosis means ”porous bone”. If you watch a healthy bone under a microscope, you will see a honeycomb. When you have osteoporosis, the holes and the spaces in the honeycomb are much larger than what you will see in healthy bones.

Osteoporosis affects both men and women. Women are more prone to Osteoporosis, especially women after menopause.

SYMPTOMS OF OSTEOPOROSIS?

In the initial stage, there are no signs or symptoms. But as Osteoporosis starts weakening your bones, you might start seeing the following symptoms.

◼️You start suffering from back pain, possibly caused by the fractured bone.
◼️You will begin to lose height over
time.
◼️You will have a stooped posture
due to the bending of your spine.
◼️You will see the breaking of bones more often.

(We recommend that you consult the Orthopedic doctor or visit an Orthopedic Hospital near you if you are facing severe issues)

STAGES OF OSTEOPOROSIS?

◼️Stage 1 (Age 25–30): Peak bone density. Bone formation equals bone loss. No visible
symptoms.
◼️Stage 2 (Age 30–35): Bone loss begins to exceed formation. Early signs may appear
as receding gums, brittle nails, and a weak grip.
◼️Stage 3 (Age 45–55): Noticeable bone fragility, especially in post-menopausal
women. Symptoms include fractures from minor falls, back or neck pain.
◼️Stage 4: Severe bone loss with deformities and height loss. Daily activities like
climbing stairs or sitting become painful and difficult.

CAUSES OF OSTEOPOROSIS?

◼️Aging — the main risk factor
◼️More common in post menopausal women
◼️Metabolic abnormalities
◼️Low calcium intake or deficiency
◼️Reduced bone formation rate
◼️Low estrogen or androgen levels
◼️Genetic disorders
◼️Conditions like bone cancer or thyroid issues
◼️Long-term use of corticosteroids

For more information, talk to a healthcare provider.

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The tibia, commonly known as the shinbone, is one of the most important bones in the human body. Located between the ankle and the knee, it carries most of our body’s weight and plays a crucial role in walking, running, and everyday movement. Because of its load-bearing function, the tibia is also one of the bones most prone to fractures.

ANATOMY OF THE TIBIA:

The tibia is the larger of the two bones in the leg, positioned between the knee and the ankle. It has a hollow canal filled with bone marrow and a strong outer layer known as the cortex, which provides strength.

Fisioterapia Sportiva Milano - Dott. Creperio Fisioterapista

◼️Tibial plateau – top part of the tibia near the knee
◼️Tibial plafond – bottom part of the bone near the ankle.
◼️Tibial shaft – the central part where most of the fractures occur.

WHAT IS THE TIBIAL SHAFT?

The tibial shaft is the middle portion of the tibia, lying between the flared ends just below the knee (tibial plateau) and just above the ankle (tibial plafond). Unlike the ends, which are broader and flatter, the shaft is more triangular in shape.

SIGNS OF TIBIAL SHAFT FRACTURES:

Tibia / Fibula Fracture Specialist | 🩺Singapore Sports & Orthopaedic Surgeon

Fractures of the tibial shaft typically occur with substantial traumatic injuries. Common signs of these fractures include:

◼️Sharp pain in the shin.
◼️Visible deformity of the leg.
◼️Bruising and swelling around the shin.
◼️Inability to bear weight on the leg.

Because such injuries often occur with other trauma, doctors usually examine the entire body to rule out
hidden injuries.

For more information, talk to a healthcare provider.

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WHAT IS A HERNIATED DISC?

Your spine is made of bones (vertebrae) stacked on each other. Between them are discs that act like cushions. Each disc has a tough outer layer and a soft inner part (nucleus). When the disc gets damaged and the inner material pushes out, it’s called a herniated or slipped disc. This can press on nerves, causing pain and other issues.

SYMPTOMS:

What is Slip Disc? Symptoms of Slip Disc

◼️Muscle Weakness: Nerve compression reduces strength and function.
◼️Difficulty in Walking: poor coordination or pain while moving.
◼️Burning or Aching: Indicates nerve irritation.
◼️Numbness: Loss of sensation in compressed nerve areas.
◼️Standing or Sitting: Pain worsens when standing or sitting.

CAUSES:

◼️Poor Posture: Sitting or standing the wrong way strains the spine.
◼️Smoking: Reduces blood supply, causing discs to wear out faster.
◼️Too Much Sitting or Wrong Lifting: Long sitting or lifting heavy things incorrectly hurts the discs.
◼️Being Overweight: Extra body weight puts more pressure on the spine.
◼️Getting Older: Discs naturally weaken and wear down with age.

TYPES:

Spine Disorders back pain concept with degenerative disc or bulging and Herniated or thinning discs and osteophyte formation on a skeletal vertebra as a close up of a vertabrate.

◼️Normal Disc: Healthy spine with no issues.
◼️Degenerative Disc: Natural wear and tear over time, reducing flexibility.
◼️Bulging Disc: Disc bulges out, may press on nerves, causing discomfort.
◼️Herniated Disc: Outer layer of disc ruptures, inner material may leak.
◼️Thinning Disc: Disc loses height,
reducing spinal support.

Extra changes: Bone spurs (osteophytes) and endplate hardening can also happen, causing stiffness.

For more information, talk to a healthcare provider.

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