What is a rotator cuff tear?
Your rotator cuff is the group of four muscles and the tendons that hold your shoulder together, providing both stability and an impressive range of motion. A rotator cuff tear develops when the tendons overstretch and tear, possibly separating from the bone.
Rotator cuff tears can be either a sudden, acute injury or a repetitive use injury that develops over time. For example, you can tear your rotator cuff if you fall and land on an outstretched arm or lift a heavy object with a jerking motion.
Repetitive stress, bone spurs, and age-related changes in your muscles and tendons contribute to your risk of a degenerative rotator cuff tear.
What are the signs of a rotator cuff tear?
Rotator cuff tears are painful. Your discomfort increases when you move your arm. Your shoulder pain doesn’t subside with rest and may keep you awake at night or prevent you from sleeping on your side. Weakness and crackling sounds are also signs of a rotator cuff tear.
How do you diagnose rotator cuff tears?
The board-certified orthopedic surgeons at Mid Atlantic Orthopedic Associates, LLP, provide thorough exams and testing to diagnose rotator cuff tears.
After reviewing your symptoms and medical history, your provider examines your shoulder. They may lift and rotate your arm in multiple directions to see how your injury affects your mobility. Your provider may also look for signs of other issues, such as pinched nerves, that can cause similar symptoms.
When necessary, your provider might order imaging tests like MRIs or X-rays to see your bones, muscles, and connective tissue to confirm or gauge the severity of your injury.
How are rotator cuff tears treated?
Your orthopedics surgeon creates a treatment plan to address your specific needs. It’s critical to get treatment for rotator cuff tears. If you continue to use your shoulder while it’s injured, the tear can become more severe, painful, and complicated to treat.
A mild rotator cuff tear may heal with rest and immobilization, and your provider may recommend ice and anti-inflammatory medication to manage your discomfort. Physical therapy and cortisone injections can also help heal mild rotator cuff injuries.
Your orthopedic surgeon may recommend rotator cuff repair surgery if your shoulder doesn’t improve with nonsurgical treatment or if the injury is severe. The surgeons offer both traditional open surgeries and minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures to repair rotator cuff tears.
