A torn rotator cuff is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain, and new research has shown that rotator cuff tears may run in the family. Researchers found that there was a genetic predisposition to develop rotator cuff tears. Exactly what made a family more susceptible to developing the rotator cuff tear is unclear, but the link does seem to exist.

So what should you do about it? If you have a family history of close relatives with rotator cuff tears, it may help to participate in regular shoulder stretches and exercises. Shoulder exercise programs are designed to develop a health rotator cuff, and strong shoulder to resist the tendency for tears.

Related: All About Rotator Cuff Tears | Exercises for Your Shoulder | Rotator Cuff Treatments

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Tashjian RZ, et al. "Evidence for an Inherited Predisposition Contributing to the Risk for Rotator Cuff Disease" J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2009;91:1136-1142.

ACL reconstruction surgery is the standard treatment for young, active people who sustain an ACL tear. But what happens when that person is a child? Should ACL surgery be delayed until the child is older, or should ACL reconstruction be performed before skeletal maturity?

The concern of performing ACL surgery in children is that there is a risk of causing a growth disturbance in growing children. Growth plate problems as a result of ACL surgery could potentially lead to early growth plate closure or alignment deformities. However, recent research is showing that the risk of growth plate problems is much less then the risk of permanent knee damage if the ACL is not fixed.

Knees that are unstable as a result of ACL tears have a high chance of meniscus tears and cartilage injury. The risk of these events was found in a recent study to be higher than the risk of growth disturbances. Therefore, more surgeons are recommending early ACL surgery, even in children.

Related: All About ACL Tears | ACL Surgery Rehab

Sources: American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) Annual Meeting, July 2009.

Acupunture is one of the most widely used treatments for back pain across the globe. This treatment has been used for centuries, and many studies have found good results for relief of back pain with the use of acupuncture.

An interesting twist has emerged, when a recent study found that while acupunture is helpful in relieving back pain, "sham" acupunture performed without needles, also relieved symptoms. Patients either had acupunture, sham acupunture, or medications for treatment of their back pain. Patients who had the acupunture treatment did better than patients who had medications alone, but it didn't seem to do better than patients who were unknowingly just poked with toothpicks.

Finding an answer for back pain is a challenge, and acuputnure does seem to have a role in the treatment of back pain. Patients do better when acupuncture is used compared to those given only medications for back pain. But the exact mechanism by which acuputure helps relieve back pain is unclear.

Related: Back Pain | Alternative Treatments | Chiropractic Treatments

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Cortisone injections are among the most frequently used treatments in orthopedics. Cortisone can be used for a wide range of conditions from knee arthritis, to shoulder bursitis, to tennis elbow. Many patients will tell you about the success they have had with cortisone injections, but what if your pain increases?

There is a common side-effect of cortisone shots called a cortisone flare. A cortisone flare can cause an increase in symptoms in the first 24-48 hours after a cortisone injection. The good news is that there are treatments for a cortisone flare, and the symptoms usually subside within a few days.

Related: Side-Effects of Cortisone Shots | How many cortisone injections can you have?

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