Atypical rotator cuff injury

[Danny]

I injured my shoulder while bowling (cricket), and presented with positive impingement signs. I was told by my physio that I should struggle to be able to throw but bowling would be easier. This was NOT the case... in fact, I could throw with no pain but attempting to bowl was unbearable. Is this a sign of some particular rotator cuff pathology or just a variation of possible symptoms?

Cheers
Danny

[injuryupdate]

Many rotator cuff injuries are related to shoulder instability, and are under stress when the shoulder is most likely to 'pop' out of its socket. Instability usually occurs at the backswing or cocking phase of throwing, but isn't an issue in cricket bowling as the shoulder doesn't externally rotate as much. It sounds like your physio thought that instability was a problem in your shoulder, but if you can throw without pain, it probably isn't. Because there is more internal rotation in bowling, you are more likely to develop impingement then as compared to throwing, so this sounds like a non-instability-related rotator cuff injury, with some impingement occurring. If you can throw pain free it is unlikely you have a major structural problem, like a tear of the rotator cuff.