Rotator Cuff Tear
What is the Rotator Cuff?
The Rotator Cuff is the name for the tendons that surround the shoulder joint. The Rotator Cuff is important in allowing the shoulder to function through a wide range of motions.
Unfortunately, a Rotator Cuff tear is not an uncommon problem, and these injuries make many routine activities difficult and painful. The Rotator Cuff is part of this mechanism that, when healthy functions very well, but when injured can be a difficult and frustrating problem.
What is a Rotator Cuff Tear?
A Rotator Cuff Tear occurs when there is an injury to one of the Rotator Cuff tendons. Tears occur in many shapes and sizes, but can be thought of as a hole in one of the tendons around the shoulder joint. Like most orthopedic conditions, the most common mechanisms of a rotator cuff tear are separated into ‘repetitive use’ and ‘traumatic injuries.’
Repetitive Use Injury
In repetitive use injuries to the Rotator Cuff, repeated activities cause damage to the tendons. Over time, the tendons wear thin and a Rotator Cuff tear can develop within the tendons.
Who is most susceptible to a rotator cuff tear?
A Rotator Cuff Tear is seen both in the young and old, but they are much more common in the older population. Usually in younger patients, there is either a traumatic injury, or the patient is demanding unusual use of their shoulder, as seen in professional athletes.
How common are Rotator Cuff Tears?
Not every Rotator Cuff Tear causes significant pain or disability. In fact, autopsy studies have shown Rotator Cuff Tears in up to 70% of people over the age of 80 and 30% of the population under the age of 70.
However, in many individuals, a Rotator Cuff Tear can cause significant disability, and prompt diagnosis and treatment can have a profound improvement in symptoms.
