Do you think I should see a doctor about this?!

Go to an orthopedic doc for an x-ray!.

What are rotator cuff disorders!?

The rotator cuff is a group of strong, ropelike fibers (tendons) and muscles in the shoulder!. Rotator cuff disorders occur when tissues in the shoulder get irritated or damaged!. Rotator cuff disorders include:

Inflammation of the tendons (tendinitis) or of a bursa (bursitis)!. In the shoulder, a bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac that serves as a cushion between the tendons and the bones!. Impingement, in which a tendon is squeezed and rubs against bone!. Calcium buildup in the tendons, which causes a painful condition called calcific tendinitis!.
Partial or complete tears of the rotator cuff tendons!. See a picture of a torn rotator cuff tendon!.

How does the shoulder work, and what does the rotator cuff do!?

The shoulder is a joint with three main bones: the upper arm bone (humerus), the collarbone (clavicle), and the shoulder blade (scapula)!. The bones are held together by muscles, tendons, and ligaments!. The rotator cuff keeps the upper arm bone in the shoulder socket and lets you raise and twist your arm!.

The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint!. The ball at the top the upper arm bone fits into the socket of the shoulder blade!. This socket is shallow, which lets you move your arm in a wide range of motion!. But it also means that the muscles and tendons of the rotator cuff have to work hard to hold the bones in place!. As a result, they are easy to injure and are prone to wear and tear!.

What causes rotator cuff disorders!?

Most rotator cuff disorders are caused by a combination of:

Normal wear and tear!. Using your shoulder for many years slowly damages the rotator cuff!. As you age, everyday activities can lead to changes in the rotator cuff, such as thinning and fraying of the tendons and reduced blood supply!.
Overuse!. Activities in which you use your arms above your head a lot

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