Rotator Cuff Injury

While many might assume the surge of shoulder injuries in May is due to the return of tennis season or golfers hitting the fairways, the reality is often found much closer to home. In many cases, the culprit isn’t a sports trophy – it’s the garden hedge.

For many of us, hedge trimming is a task that only rolls around two or three times a year. Because it’s an occasional chore, our bodies aren’t always conditioned for the specific physical demands it requires. We also tend to treat it as a “marathon” task; we want to get the whole thing finished in one go to ensure a uniform look, or perhaps more realistically, to beat the inevitable arrival of a Scottish rain shower.

The Mechanics of the Strain
The physics of hedge cutting are notoriously unforgiving for the human shoulder. Holding a heavy electric or petrol trimmer at arm’s length creates a significant “lever arm” effect. This puts immense strain on the rotator cuff- the group of four muscles and tendons that stabilise the shoulder joint.

When these muscles are worked to the point of fatigue, especially in awkward overhead positions, it can lead to tendonitis, impingement, or even small tears.

How to Protect Your Shoulders This Season
To keep your garden looking sharp without sacrificing your shoulders, consider these preventative strategies:
• Section Your Work: Avoid the temptation to tackle the entire perimeter at once. Divide your hedge into manageable sections and take a mandatory hour-long break between them.
• Active Recovery: You don’t have to stop gardening altogether; simply switch to a “lighter” task – like weeding or planting – that keeps you moving without taxing the shoulder joints.
• The Multi-Day Approach: For larger hedges, spreading the work over two or three days is the ideal way to allow muscle fibres to recover.
• Watch Your Reach: Avoid over-reaching or stretching beyond your natural range. If you have to strain to reach a spot, use a stable ladder or a long-reach pole trimmer. The further the trimmer is from your body, the higher the force acting on your shoulder.
• Avoid Muscle Fatigue: Once your muscles feel “heavy” or shaky, your form will drop, and the risk of injury skyrockets. Change tasks before you reach the point of exhaustion.

We’re Here to Help
If you have already spent a weekend with the trimmers and are now noticing a persistent ache, difficulty lifting your arm, or pain that keeps you awake at night, it may be time to seek a professional opinion.

Physiotherapy is highly effective for managing rotator cuff issues. Our goal isn’t just to reduce your pain, but to restore your function and resilience. Depending on your specific injury, we can help through:
• Targeted Strengthening: Building up the specific muscles that support the shoulder joint.
• Load Management: Advising you on how to stay active without making the injury worse.
• Manual Therapy: Techniques to improve joint mobility and ease muscle tension.
• Postural Education: Helping you find more ergonomic ways to tackle those seasonal tasks.

If your shoulder is bothering you, please feel free to call the clinic for a chat or to book an assessment. We are here to help you get back to your garden (and your sleep) as quickly and safely as possible.

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