Rotator Cuff Tear
What is a Rotator Cuff Tear?
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their tendons in the shoulder that provide stability and mobility. The muscles include the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis, collectively known as the SITS muscles. They work together to stabilize the shoulder joint and enable lifting and rotating movements of the arm.
The shoulder joint is a ball-and-socket joint, composed of three bones: the clavicle (collarbone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the humerus (upper arm bone). The round head of the humerus fits into a shallow socket in the shoulder blade, called the glenoid. The rotator cuff covers the head of the humerus and keeps it in the glenoid socket, providing stability and mobility to the shoulder joint.
When there is a rotator cuff tear, the tendon that attaches to the humerus pulls away, making it unable to move the arm in the way that it should. This can be painful, or cause weakness with certain motions. As a fellowship trained shoulder surgeon, Dr. Ben Mayo has expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of rotator cuff tears. Dr. Mayo offers comprehensive care to patients in the Detroit area with shoulder pain. If you are in need of an orthopedic shoulder surgeon, contact Dr. Ben Mayo and his team today to be seen at one of his offices in Livonia or Sterling Heights.
Rotator cuff injuries typically fall into three categories:
- Tendinitis: This is an inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons, often caused by overuse or repetitive overhead activities. It is most common in athletes like swimmers or baseball pitchers.
- Impingement: This occurs when the shoulder blade puts pressure on the rotator cuff during shoulder movements, leading to irritation, inflammation, and eventually, a tear.
- Tears: These are either partial (the tear doesn’t completely sever the tendon from the bone) or complete (the tendon is entirely torn off). Tears can happen due to a single traumatic event or gradual wear and tear over time.
Rotator cuff injuries often result from a combination of factors such as normal wear and tear, aging, and repeated overhead activities. Athletes or workers who frequently perform overhead motions — like painters, carpenters, and baseball and tennis players — are at an increased risk. However, sometimes, a single severe injury like a fall or lifting a heavy object abruptly can cause a rotator cuff tear.
Symptoms of a rotator cuff injury can vary depending on the severity and type of injury but may include:
- A dull ache deep in the shoulder
- Disturbed sleep, particularly if you lie on the affected shoulder
- Difficulty combing your hair or reaching behind your back
- Muscle weakness
- A crackling sensation when moving the shoulder in certain positions
For a tear that happens suddenly due to an injury, you might feel intense pain, a snapping sensation, and immediate weakness in your upper arm.
Minor rotator cuff injuries like mild strains may heal on their own with rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medication. However, more serious injuries such as a complete tear often require medical intervention. Even with non-surgical treatments like physical therapy and corticosteroid injections, complete tears often do not heal completely and may progress over time.
A rotator cuff injury diagnosis typically involves a physical examination, during which your shoulder surgeon Dr. Mayo will press on different parts of your shoulder and move your arm into various positions to assess your pain and range of motion.
Diagnostic imaging tests like X-rays can show bone spurs, a sign of long-term rotator cuff disease, but cannot visualize soft tissues like tendons. More detailed imaging tests like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Ultrasound are often needed to confirm a rotator cuff tear.
Schedule a shoulder consultation
If you have symptoms consistent with a rotator cuff tear, it’s important to be evaluated by an expert shoulder surgeon like Dr. Ben Mayo. As a fellowship trained shoulder surgeon with specialization in rotator cuff tear, Dr. Ben Mayo provides not just solutions, but comprehensive, tailored care aimed at quick and effective recovery. Dr. Mayo is conveniently located with clinics in Sterling Heights and Livonia to serve nearby communities such as Troy, Canton, Macomb, Farmington Hills, Novi, and Royal Oak. If you or a family member suffer from a rotator cuff tear, contact Dr. Mayo to schedule a consultation today.
At a Glance
Ben Mayo, MD
- Fellowship Trained Sports Surgeon
- Specializes in Minimally Invasive Arthroscopic Shoulder, Elbow, Hip, & Knee Surgery
- Published over 50 peer-reviewed articles and 10 book chapters
- Learn more