Rotator cuff injury

Rotator cuff tears are common injuries, especially in sports like golf or tennis, and in jobs that require repetitive overhead arm motions, like painting or washing windows. Rotator cuff tears can also happen over time from normal wear and tear, or suddenly if you fall on your arm or lift something heavy.

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that keep the shoulder joint stable. They cover the top of your arm bone where it fits into the shoulder socket.

The rotator cuff muscles allow the shoulder joint to rotate safely. There are four rotator cuff muscles: subscapularis, teres minor, supraspinatus and infraspinatus. Together they assist in stabilizing the shoulder joint as well as in performing various arm movements.

Rotator cuff injuries can be painful and affect the range of motion in your arm. They usually don’t require surgery, but it’s important to see your doctor if your shoulder pain lasts for more than a week so it can be treated to prevent further damage.

Experts on rotator cuff injury

Your shoulder is a very mobile joint that's necessary for many everyday tasks, and pain and mobility issues could impact the way you live your life. Our orthopedic specialists can give you the care you need to relieve your discomfort, treat your rotator cuff injury and get you back to the activities you love as quickly as possible.

At Advocate Health Care, we offer easy access to specialists who quickly and accurately diagnose the root cause of rotator cuff pain. You have many options for treatment for rotator cuff tears, and our specialists can help you find lasting relief from even the most stubborn symptoms.

We also have a range of advanced rotator cuff tear treatments depending on the severity of your rotator cuff injury – from rest and physical therapy to injections and shoulder surgery.

Rotator cuff tear symptoms

Shoulder pain is the most common symptom of rotator cuff tears. But a torn rotator cuff doesn't always hurt.

Other symptoms include:

• A popping sensation followed by shoulder weakness after a fall or injury
• Crepitus (joint popping) when you move your shoulder
• Limited ability to move your arm
• Weakness in your shoulder

The symptoms of a rotator cuff injury may resemble other conditions or medical problems. See your doctor for a diagnosis if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms.

What causes rotator cuff injury

Common causes of a rotator cuff tear include:

• Bone spurs: In some cases, a bony growth called a bone spur on the shoulder can cause a torn rotator cuff. Bone spurs may be more common in people with arthritis.
• Overuse: For many people, repetitive motions like painting or overhead lifting can damage the rotator cuff over time. Sports that require overhead arm motions also put you at greater risk of tearing your rotator cuff.
• Trauma: A fall on an outstretched arm, heavy lifting or other shoulder injuries – like a dislocated shoulder – can damage the tendons in your shoulder, leading to a rotator cuff tear.

Types of rotator cuff tears

There are two types of rotator cuff tears:

• A partial tear happens when the rotator cuff tendon tears but does not completely detach from the bone.
• A complete, full-thickness tear means that the tear goes all the way through the rotator cuff tendon and can’t heal on its own. Complete tears usually require rotator cuff surgery.

Rotator cuff tests & imaging

To diagnose your shoulder injury, your doctor will first examine your shoulder to see how much you can move it. Diagnosing a rotator cuff tear can also require additional tests, including:

• MRI: This imaging test uses a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues in your body.
• X-rays: These imaging tests create images of the structures inside your body – particularly your bones. X-rays can help doctors see if a bone spur has caused a tear in your rotator cuff.

Treatment for rotator cuff tears

Our orthopedic specialists start with the least invasive methods of treatment for rotator cuff tears, only recommending surgery when necessary.

Rotator cuff surgery

A large tear, or one that doesn’t heal with other types of treatment, may require surgical rotator cuff repair. Our orthopedic surgeons use minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery for rotator cuff repair. This type of surgery requires just a few small incisions, allowing you to recover faster with less scarring.

More rotator cuff tear treatments options

• Medication: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can help address swelling and shoulder pain.
• Physical therapy: Our physical therapy team can recommend exercises to improve strength and flexibility in your shoulder to help heal a rotator cuff tear and restore your range of motion.
• Injections: Periodic cortisone injections may help with shoulder pain if other noninvasive rotator cuff tear treatments don’t work.
• Rest: Limiting shoulder movement gives minor injuries time to heal on their own.

Other shoulder-related conditions

Shoulder pain doesn’t always mean you’ve torn your rotator cuff. Here are some other types of shoulder injuries:

• Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder): This injury causes your shoulder to become so stiff that you can’t move it. It happens when the connective tissue in your shoulder joint thickens and stiffens.
• Cartilage injury: Your shoulder cartilage can be damaged from overuse during sport or from arthritis. This condition can be treated by surgically repairing or replacing the damaged cartilage.
• Crepitus (joint popping): If you hear a cracking or popping sound when moving your shoulder, it’s likely crepitus. It simply means that air is moving inside your joint, and it’s usually harmless. If you also experience pain, you should see your doctor.
• Shoulder instability: With this condition, the top of your arm bone repeatedly pops out of your shoulder socket. It can happen after you dislocate your shoulder. Once the muscles and tendons are damaged, it becomes easier for your joint to slip out of the socket.