ROTATOR CUFF TEAR

One of the most common shoulder injuries, but not always painful or symptomatic.

WHAT IS THE ROTATOR CUFF?

The rotator cuff is the name given to a group of four muscles that run from the shoulder blade and merge to form a common tendon that wraps around the humerus. It plays a very important role in the motion and stability of the shoulder joint.

Unfortunately, tears are a relatively common injury.

While the tear is unlikely to heal, treatment aims to manage your injury by strengthening the remaining tendon and improving the biomechanics of your shoulder.

WHAT IS A ROTATOR CUFF TEAR?

There are two types of rotator cuff tear – partial thickness (which is when the tendon is torn but not completely severed) and full thickness (which is when the tendon’s attachment to the bone is completely severed).

Generally speaking, rotator cuff tears occur in one of two ways:

Acute Tear
This sort of tear is usually the result of a fall with an outstretched arm, an overly heavy or strenuous lift, or a sporting injury (such as throwing a ball). Acute shoulder injuries, like a dislocated shoulder or broken collarbone, can actually force the rotator cuff to tear.
Degenerative Tear
This sort of tear is the result of general wear and tear on the joint. Risk factors for this type of injury include age, repetitive stress, and lack of blood supply. Over time, the body’s ability to repair tendon damage is impaired and a tear ensues.

Playing sports where the shoulder is key – like football, basketball, soccer, cricket, baseball, and swimming – puts you at greater risk of developing an acute or even a degenerative tear.

ROTATOR CUFF TEAR SYMPTOMS

Symptoms may be very mild at first, but they will typically worsen each day until they’re very noticeable and painful. Common symptoms include:

A clicking noise or crackling sensation when your arm is raised or lowered.
Pain when you reach behind your back.
A lack of mobility in the shoulder joint.
Pain, stiffness, swelling, and/or tenderness in the front of your shoulder and side of your arm.
Weakness of the arm.
Pseudoparesis (a complete inability to lift your arm in extreme cases).

ROTATOR CUFF TEAR TREATMENT

These injuries are quite delicate and require careful handling, although we prioritise non-surgical treatment where possible. Treatment options that your physiotherapist or osteopath may recommend include:

Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation (RICE).
Strengthening exercises.
Physical therapy.
Taping.
Pain medication (such as steroid injections and pain medications).
Electrical muscle stimulation.

In extreme cases when the rotator cuff tear is more severe, surgery may be the only option. Your practitioner will be able to refer you to a specialist.

YOUR ROTATOR CUFF TEAR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

What are the stages of a rotator cuff tear?

The sooner we catch issues with your rotator cuff, the easier your recovery. There are three different stages to a tear:

Inflammation and oedema – shoulder pain with certain movements, swelling, and difficulty in performing overhead activities.
Tendonitis and fibrosis – increased pain and weakness in the shoulder, a catching sensation when performing overhead activities.
Formation of bone spurs and tendon rupture – increased pain and inability to use the shoulder.

Who is most affected by rotator cuff tears?

Those who are most likely to be affected by a tear include people over the age of 40, athletes (specifically bodybuilders, basketball, and tennis players), manual laborers (such as carpenters and painters), and anyone who regularly performs overhead lifting work.

How long does it take to recover from a rotator cuff tear?

While the exact recovery time will depend on the type and severity of your tear, as well as the treatment plan created for you, most people will fully recover from a rotator cuff tear in three to nine months. Your practitioner will be able to provide a more accurate timeline.

What if I leave my rotator cuff tear untreated?

Failing to seek treatment for a tear will lead to progressively worsening pain and loss of shoulder range of motion. Ultimately, you will be unable to raise your arm overhead. This also increases the likelihood that you will require surgery to rectify the injury.

WHY CHOOSE EXCEL BODY & HEALTH?

Local Clinic

Our clinic is based in beautiful Rosanna and is easily accessible via public transport, allowing us to easily serve patients in Melbourne’s northeastern suburbs and around Victoria.

Holistic Care

We believe in a multifaceted approach to healthcare. We provide a variety of different services, including osteopathy, physiotherapy, podiatry, clinical exercise, and pilates classes.

Friendly Environment

Healthcare shouldn’t have to be stressful. We have worked hard to create a positive and welcoming environment for our patients in which they will feel safe and supported to succeed.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT TODAY TO MANAGE YOUR ROTATOR CUFF TEAR PAIN

At Excel Body & Health, we’ve treated a large number of patients with rotator cuff tears. We don’t believe in a cookie-cutter approach – our treatment plans are tailored to meet your specific needs and address the root cause of your tear, helping you to get back to doing the things you love and lessening the likelihood of re-injury.

If you’re experiencing worsening shoulder pain and suspect that you’ve torn your rotator cuff, get in touch with our team today.