If you’re dealing with chronic pain in your shoulder and are struggling to raise your arm above your head, you may have a rotator cuff tear. Your rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that work to keep the top of your upper arm bone within the socket of your shoulder joint. A rotator cuff tear occurs when the tendons of the rotator cuff pull away from the arm bone due to strain or injury.
Rotator cuff injuries are fairly common and tend to increase with age. One study showed that approximately 40% of people over the age of 60 have experienced a rotator cuff tear. Jobs or sports that use repetitive overhead motions can increase your likelihood of tearing your rotator cuff.Some complete tears may require surgery; however, for less severe cases, strengthening the shoulder muscles through physical therapy is often an effective and less invasive treatment.
Symptoms of a rotator cuff tear
There are two main types of rotator cuff tears: partial and complete. Incomplete or partial tears occur when the tendon in the rotator cuff is still partially attached to the arm bone. A full-thickness or complete tear occurs when the tendon separates or “tears” completely from the arm bone. Depending on the type of rotator cuff tear you have, your symptoms may differ. Here are some of the main symptoms of both kinds of rotator cuff tears:
- Difficulty, pain or weakness when raising, lowering or rotating the arm
- Popping, clicking or grating sounds when moving the arm
- Pain in the shoulder that worsens at night or when resting the arm
- Weakness in the shoulder when trying to lift items
- Difficulty combing hair or reaching behind the back
- Limited range of motion in the arm
Sudden tears from accidents or injuries may cause severe pain; minor tears may create more of a dull ache. Not all rotator cuff tears cause pain, but most people have at least some arm and shoulder weakness.
Risk factors for a rotator cuff tear
Rotator cuff tears often occur due to repetitive motions or overuse over an extended period of time. However, there are multiple risk factors that may come into play:
- Age — The possibility of a rotator cuff injury increases with age. Generally speaking, young people are far less likely to tear their rotator cuff, while people over the age of 60 have a much higher chance of injury.
- Occupation — If your job involves a lot of overhead arm motions, you may have a higher chance of developing a rotator cuff tear. Carpenters, construction workers and painters may be more likely to develop rotator cuff problems.
- Sports — Sports with intensive arm motions can increase your chances of developing rotator cuff issues. Baseball, tennis and weightlifting all involve above-the-shoulder repetitive movements that, over time, can damage the rotator cuff.
- Family history — Genetics may also be involved in your likelihood of developing rotator cuff issues. Some studies suggest that if you have a sibling with a rotator cuff injury, you’re twice as likely to develop one yourself.
No matter what risk factors you have, strengthening exercises and avoiding repetitive movements can help you reduce the risk of developing a rotator cuff injury.
Other causes of rotator cuff pain
Some rotator cuff injuries can occur without tears. Rotator cuff tendinitis, also called impingement, bursitis or biceps tendinitis, doesn’t always cause tearing. It occurs when the tendons and bursae in the rotator cuff get irritated and swell. This condition usually occurs over time and is often due to repetitive movements. Some causes of rotator tendinitis can be:
- Heavy lifting or repetitive lifting above the shoulder level
- Loose joints
- Abnormal bone anatomy
Long-term tendinitis can cause a rotator cuff tear, but a tear doesn’t always occur. Surgery is rarely used to treat shoulder cuff tendinitis unless it involves a tear.
When to see a doctor about rotator cuff pain
If you have consistent pain and weakness in your shoulder, talk to your health care provider. Physical therapy is often the first treatment option they’ll recommend if you have a rotator cuff tear.
Treatment methods such as soft tissue mobilization, targeted exercises and electrical stimulation therapy can all help stretch and strengthen the muscles in and around the shoulder joint. This may help stabilize the muscle and decrease the risk of future injury.Â
However, if you’ve had a sudden injury that significantly impacts your ability to use your shoulder and arm, you may be recommended to undergo surgery.Â
At REPAIR SI, our team is highly trained in a wide variety of physical therapy techniques to help you regain strength and mobility in your shoulder joint. If you’re struggling to use your arm due to a rotator cuff tear, contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.