What is a Rotator Cuff Tear?

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles that hold your arm in the shoulder joint. The rotator cuff is made up of 4 muscles; supraspinatus, sub-scapularis, infraspinatus and teres minor.

What are the Two Ways the Rotator Cuff is Torn?

Acute:If you lift something heavy in a quick motion or land on your shoulder.

Chronic or degenerative tear:Overtime repetitive stress is placed on the tendons of the shoulder and leads to a degenerative tear.

Both acute and chronic tears are then classified into a ‘partial rotator cuff tear’ or ‘complete rotator cuff tear’. A partial tear is where the tendon is still attached to the bone whereas a complete tear has no connection to the bone.

What are the Signs and Symtpoms of a Rotator Cuff Tear?

+ Pain at rest and/or with movement

+ Pain laying on the affected shoulder at night

+ Weakness with lifting objects

+ Cracking sensations felt when lifting objects

What are the Treatment Options for a Rotator Cuff Tear?

Non-Surgical Treatment: Majority (approximately 80% of rotator cuff tears do not require surgery). Non-surgical treatment involves activity modification and strengthening the rest of the rotator cuff muscles of the shoulder. Other treatment options include taping, use of non-steroidal medications or a cortisone injection.

Surgical Treatment: If Physiotherapy does not improve symptoms after 4-6 months then a review with an Orthopaedic Surgeon is recommended. Other reasons to consider surgery are: If the tear is larger than 3cms Multiple rotator cuff tendons are torn (complete tear) Significant on-going weakness