Most of us don’t think about our shoulders a whole lot, but we use them every day in almost everything we do. We need them to move our arms forward or back and to rotate them or lift things. Within the shoulder, the primary muscle group that enables us to achieve a wide range of motion is called the rotator cuff. The muscle group is actually comprised of four muscles: the supraspinatus, the infraspinatus, the teres minor, and the subscapularis-all of which help keep the socket and ball of the shoulder joint properly positioned. When one or more of these muscles is strained, injured, or torn, it is imperative that you recognize the signs early and seek treatment to prevent irreversible damage to the shoulder.

One of the most well known torn rotator cuff symptoms is a persistent pain which refuses to go away with balms or pain killers. Generally, you will feel the pain on the back and top of the shoulder. There are times you may feel that the entire arm is aching since the pain may even radiate out. One of the most tell tale signs here is that the pain increases when you swing or lift your arm. The pain may even intensify when you sleep since you may be putting pressure on the affected shoulder.

Weakness will also accompany such an injury. You will start to lose strength in your arms-even for doing routine tasks like brushing your hair or getting dressed. That shoulder pain, combined with weakness in the arms, is a classic symptom of a torn rotator cuff.

Sometimes you may even hear some ‘popping’ sounds while lifting or lowering your shoulder. These sounds may be an indication that your rotator cuff is injured. Grating or cracking sounds while moving your arm may also indicate a tear in the rotator cuff.

Generally torn rotator cuff symptoms occur due to over use or excess straining of the arms. As a result, these symptoms may build up over time. Many times, the injury may only be a small one, but if you don’t pay attention it may intensify and cause more debilitating symptoms. It’s only in case of a collision or a fall, these symptoms manifest themselves completely. Shoulder snapping or the sudden weakening of the shoulder with a throbbing, persistent pain may also be one of the torn rotator cuff symptoms.

As people age, they typically experience more trouble with rotator cuff injuries. Troubles build up over time and as a result of repeated or excessive use. Initially, symptoms are often ignored and then masked by taking pain pills to try to alleviate the symptoms. But the injury is still there.

You want to treat a rotator cuff injury as soon as possible-before the damage can become more pronounced or even permanent. If home remedies and over the counter medications aren’t relieving your shoulder pain, see your doctor. He can evaluate your shoulder for a potential torn rotator cuff and prescribe exercise, medications, or other appropriate treatments.

Tom Nicholson has spent years caring for carpal tunnel sufferers. You can click here to learn more regarding having asore wrist.