Rotator cuff tear
Rotator cuff tendinopathy is a process of senescence. The pathophysiology is mucoid degeneration. Most people develop rotator cuff tendinopathy within their lifetime.
| Rotator cuff tear | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Rotator cuff injury, rotator cuff disease |
| Some of the muscles of the rotator cuff, with a tear in the supraspinatus muscle | |
| Specialty | Orthopedics |
| Symptoms | Shoulder pain, weakness |
| Types | Partial, complete |
| Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms, examination, medical imaging |
| Differential diagnosis | Subacromial bursitis, rotator cuff tendinitis, impingement syndrome |
| Treatment | Pain medication, specific exercises, surgery |
| Frequency | Common |
As part of rotator cuff tendinopathy, the tendon can thin and develop a defect. This defect is often referred to as a rotator cuff tear. Acute, traumatic rupture of the rotator cuff tendons can also occur, but is less common. Traumatic rupture of the rotator cuff usually involves the tendons of more than one muscle.
Rotator cuff tendinopathy is, by far, the most common reason people seek care for shoulder pain. Pain related to rotator cuff tendinopathy is typically on the front side of the shoulder, down to the elbow, and worse reaching up or back. Diagnosis is based on symptoms and examination. Medical imaging is used mostly to plan surgery and is not needed for diagnosis.
Treatment may include pain medication such as NSAIDs and specific exercises. It is recommended that people who are unable to raise their arm above 90 degrees after two weeks should be further assessed. Surgery may be offered for acute ruptures and large attritional defects with good quality muscle. The benefits of surgery for smaller defects are unclear as of 2019.