Rotator cuff tears
What are they?
The rotator cuff is the set of muscles that dynamically hold your shoulder in a joint. The symptoms that a rotator cuff tear causes are very variable and dependent on the size of the tear, the reason for the tear occurred as well as the activities the patient undertakes.
What are they?
The rotator cuff is the set of muscles that dynamically hold your shoulder in a joint. The symptoms that a rotator cuff tear causes are very variable and dependent on the size of the tear, the reason for the tear occurred as well as the activities the patient undertakes.
What causes it?
Tears in the rotator cuff tendons can occur as part of the normal ageing process, with these being present in up to 50% of the general population over the age of 70. These are often asymptomatic. Tears due to trauma often affect a younger population and are often painful and debilitating.
What happens if you do nothing?
Small tears can progress to larger tears, although the natural history for this is not currently well understood and therefore not a reason for surgery in itself. Small atraumatic tears may settle without intervention but large traumatic tears in active individuals often give persistent symptoms without intervention.
What happens if you do nothing?
Small tears can progress to larger tears, although the natural history for this is not currently well understood and therefore not a reason for surgery in itself. Small atraumatic tears may settle without intervention but large traumatic tears in active individuals often give persistent symptoms without intervention.
What treatments are there?
Small atraumatic tears are often best treated in the same way as other causes of rotator cuff impingement (see rotator cuff impingement page link back). Traumatic tears in active individuals often require surgery for a successful outcome.