The rotator cuff is made up of a group of muscle fibers that while very strong, are, by nature, also very weak. Because they work to permit free rotation and overhead reaching, these muscles are vulnerable to rotator cuff shoulder injuries which are the injuries most associated with sports and physical labor jobs.

If the fibers, tissues, bursa, and muscles in the shoulder become enflamed and damaged or torn, then severe rotator cuff injuries can occur. Rotator cuff shoulder injuries have certain terms that are regularly associated with them:

1. Irritation and inflammation in the bursa is called bursitis. The bursa is a sac filled with fluid surrounding the muscles and tendons in the rotator cuff.

2. Irritation and inflammation of the tendons in the shoulder is called tendonitis.

3. When the tendon gets squeezed and begins to rub on the shoulder blade bone, irritation and possible tearing of the tendon occurs and is called impingement.

4. As we age, calcium has a tendency to build up in the joints. This calcification in the shoulder joint is called calcific tendonitis. This condition is also called a bone spur and can irritate the tendons surrounding the spur and possibly cause tears in the tendons.

Rotator cuff shoulder injuries can be caused by many things:

1. Many times a sudden stress or injury to the shoulder can cause one of the tendons to tear. A torn rotator cuff can be very minor or it can be a very major injury.

2. Age can be a major factor in shoulder injuries. Rotator cuff symptoms will be noticed more and more as we age because the tendons and muscles in the shoulder become weaker with age, increasing the chances that they will become injured or torn.

3. Activities that involve repetitive motion such as overhead reaching can strain the rotator cuff very easily.

Repetitive motion and aging are the two biggest factors in impingement. If impingement is not dealt with, it will eventually cause scar tissue to build up. It will also begin the fray the tendons, making them weak, leading to a great chance for injury.