What is a Rotator Cuff Tear?
A rotator cuff is a group of tendons in the shoulder joint that provides support and enables a wide range of motion. A major injury to these tendons may result in rotator cuff tears. It is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain in middle-aged and older individuals.
What are the Causes of Rotator Cuff Tears?
A rotator cuff tear may occur with repeated use of the arm for overhead activities, while playing sports, or from a motor accident.
What are the Symptoms of Rotator Cuff Tears?
A rotator cuff tear causes severe pain, weakness of the arm and crackling sensation on moving the shoulder in certain positions. There may be stiffness, swelling, loss of movement and tenderness in the front of the shoulder.
How is a Rotator Cuff Tear Diagnosed?
Your surgeon diagnoses a rotator cuff tear based on a physical examination and X-rays. A rotator cuff tear is best viewed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
What are the Treatment Options for Rotator Cuff Tears?
Conservative treatment
The conservative treatment options for rotator cuff tears are:
- Rest
- Shoulder Sling
- Pain medication
- Injection of a steroid (cortisone) and a local anesthetic in the subacromial space of the affected shoulder to relieve inflammation and pain
- Exercises
Surgery for Rotator Cuff Tears
Rotator cuff repair may be performed by open or arthroscopic surgery. In arthroscopy, the space for rotator cuff tendons will be increased and the cuff tear is repaired using suture anchors. These anchor sutures help in attaching the tendons to the shoulder bone. Following the surgery, you may be advised to practice motion and strengthening exercises.
Click here for more information on Rotator Cuff Repair
Other Shoulder Condition Topics:
- Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Osteoarthritis
- Baseball and Shoulder Injuries
- Rotator Cuff Pain
- Massive Retracted Rotator Cuff Tear
- Bicep Tendon Rupture
- Proximal Biceps Tendon Rupture
- Long Head Biceps Tendon Rupture
- Proximal Biceps Tendinitis
- Shoulder Pain
- Internal Impingement of the Shoulder
- Sternoclavicular Joint (SC joint)
- SLAP Tears
- Arthritis of the Shoulder
- Shoulder Labral Tear
- Shoulder Labral Tear with Instability
- Shoulder Dislocation
- Shoulder Trauma
- Subluxation
- Little League Shoulder
- Frozen Shoulder
- Clavicle Fracture
- Glenoid Fractures
- Proximal Humerus Fractures
- Shoulder Disorders
- Hill-Sachs Lesion
- Thrower’s Shoulder
- Overhead Athlete’s Shoulder
- Snapping Scapula
- Shoulder Instability
- Shoulder Impingement
- Rotator Cuff Tear
- Acromioclavicular Joint Injury
- Shoulder Fracture
- Scapula Injury
- Biceps Tunnel Disease
- AC Joint Injury
- Revision RC Repair
- Revision Repair
