Rotator Cuff Tear

Rotator cuff is a group muscles which surrounds the shoulder joint. It stabilizes shoulder joint and moves arm in various directions.

Rotator cuff injuries are common. Frequently occurs in age > 50 as tendons degenerate due to wear and tear over the time.

Often it develops with fall or trauma, but sometimes it can occur with trivial trauma like lifting or throwing.

Symptoms

Rotator cuff weaken your shoulder and you can have pain and difficulty in many day to day activities. Main symptoms include: Pain in shoulder and arm Difficulty in lifting Difficulty in combing hairs or reaching to the back Disturbed sleep due to pain Weakness while using arm

Types

Cuff tear can be classified in different ways:

Acute or chronic
Partial thickness or full thickness
On size and retraction
Extent of muscles involved

Diagnosis

MRI – it is an investigation of choice which shows extent of tear, muscle condition and retraction so that appropriate treatment can be planned.
Ultrasound – Cuff tear can be diagnosed with ultrasound.
X ray – Cuff is not seen in x ray but Proximal migration of humeral head or acromial spur can be seen

Treatment

Rest
Activity modification
Medicines – takes care of pain
Physical therapy – specific exercises helps in restoring function of shoulder
Surgical repair –
Torn full thickness rotator cuff needs to be repaired surgically. Surgery can be done as open repair or as arthroscopic repair.