Painful Shoulder During Exercise... 'Rotator Cuff Syndrome' Common Among Young Male Patients [Taking Care of MZ Generation Health]

If You Don't Use Your Shoulders Because of Pain, They Stiffen
Proper Stretching Needed Regularly

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] Sometimes, exercise started to become healthier can instead lead to disorders. Rotator cuff syndrome is one of them. The rotator cuff is a muscle composed of four tendons surrounding the shoulder bone, playing the most important role when lifting or rotating the shoulder. If strong impacts repeatedly occur in this area, inflammation or damage can develop, and if it persists, it can result in a rotator cuff tear where the tendon is severed.

According to statistics from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of rotator cuff syndrome patients increased every year from 704,838 in 2017 to 880,524 in 2021. By age group, the highest number was in the 50s, but among the 20-30 age group, male patients were about twice as many as female patients, while from the 50s onward, female patients were more prevalent.

Although rotator cuff syndrome generally occurs more frequently with aging, it is especially common among young men who frequently engage in intense exercise. Kim Shin-il, Medical Director of The Born Hospital, explained, "Young people often develop this condition due to hard labor or incorrect exercise. Repetitive motions such as butterfly stroke in swimming, badminton strokes where the racket is swung downward, and weight training exercises like pull-ups, dips, and bench presses put a lot of strain on the shoulder. If pain is ignored and activity continues without rest, the shoulder can be damaged."

When the rotator cuff is damaged, pain occurs throughout the shoulder, which can cause discomfort even when putting on or taking off clothes. Pain may also occur depending on the sleeping position, and in severe cases, it can be difficult to lift the arm upward. However, experts say that the 'sound' from the shoulder alone is not enough to diagnose rotator cuff syndrome. In cases where there is no pain and only noise, it is mostly caused by thickened tendons rubbing against the bone surface.

Rotator cuff syndrome is generally treatable without surgery. In cases of simple inflammation, stretching and manual therapy are performed along with medication. Anti-inflammatory injections may be administered to reduce inflammation, and cartilage injections can be used to provide smooth lubrication. However, if the tendon is torn, spontaneous regeneration is impossible, so surgery is required to suture the torn area in cases of rotator cuff rupture.

To prevent such rotator cuff damage, it is advisable to keep the shoulder moderately moving to avoid stiffness. Medical Director Kim Shin-il advised, "If the shoulder hurts and is not used, it does not get better but rather stiffens. Stretching in various directions within the range of not raising the arm above shoulder height reduces inflammation and improves joint range of motion, allowing the tendon to recover."