The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder and power overhead motion. A tear occurs when one or more of these tendons pulls away from the bone, partially or completely.
Degenerative tears develop gradually with age and repetitive overhead use; traumatic tears occur suddenly from a fall, lifting injury, or shoulder dislocation.
Pain with overhead reaching, weakness lifting the arm (especially away from the body), night pain that disrupts sleep, and in complete tears, difficulty raising the arm at all.
Small and partial tears, especially in less active patients, often improve with physical therapy, anti-inflammatory treatment, and activity modification. Full-thickness tears — particularly in active patients, or when weakness is significant — are generally treated with arthroscopic repair, since these tears do not heal on their own and tend to enlarge over time.
Think you might have this condition? An accurate diagnosis starts with an exam — schedule a consultation with Dr. Thomson.
Schedule a ConsultThis page is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every injury is different — always consult Dr. Thomson or another qualified physician for a personalized evaluation.