Rotator Cuff Tear

What are the symptoms of a torn rotator cuff?

When you get a tear in the rotator cuff you have the same symptoms/pain as a patient with impingement syndrome (see impingement). The pain is usually felt over the lateral aspect of the shoulder. Neck and arm pain may be associated with this. Popping and/or snapping in the shoulder may be felt or heard. You will also experience weakness in the torn muscles. You will have more pain with overhead arm use.

Are there different kinds of tears?

Yes, you can have a partial or incomplete tear involving only a small part of the tendon. As the tear progresses and enlarges it becomes a full thickness tear. You may also sustain tears of the different muscles. There are four rotator cuff muscles (see anatomy section) which can tear. The most common ones to tear are the supraspinatus and the infraspinatus. Tears of the subscapularis and teres minor are rare. Tears of different sizes do not discriminate. They all tend to hurt.

How do you diagnose a tear?

A complete history and physical in the office is mandatory to start. Most rotator cuff tears can be diagnosed this way. Radiological testing such as an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) can be useful in defining the tear pattern, configuration and tendons involved. I routinely use Ultrasonography in the office to look at rotator cuff injuries. It is very easy, quick and inexpensive to use for the diagnosis of rotator cuff injuries.

OK, so my rotator cuff is torn.

There have been multiple studies to show that not everyone with a tear needs surgery. As with impingement syndrome or bursitis, we will begin with physical therapy and oral anti-inflammatory medicine. Having a good physical therapist is a must. We work with the best shoulder physical therapists in Austin and the surrounding areas. If you have had therapy, have taken your anti-inflammatory medicines and you are not getting better you may be a candidate for surgery. Just the mention of surgery scares people, but this is a good thing. You see, some patients can be somewhat careless about therapy and their medicine, but if they know that the only other option is surgery, then they may be more religious with the prescribed treatments.

What is the natural progression of a torn tendon?

Physical therapy is designed to help the torn tissues/scar heal in a more normal fashion. If this happens in your shoulder, the tear could close up if it is small or keep from more tearing if it is large. As this happens the pain in your shoulder will get better and eventually go away. If your shoulder pain continues even with the therapy and the medication, your tear is not healing in the right fashion and may even be re-tearing and getting larger.

I did my therapy, took my medicine and I am still having pain. What is next?

If you do end up having to have a rotator cuff repair with surgery, relax. The rotator cuff tendon used to be repaired with a large incision in the front of the shoulder. This gave us access to the torn tendon for direct repair. New advances in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair enable us to use very small incisions through which small instruments are passed to suture the torn tendon. The small incisions give you less swelling, pain and tissue bleeding which translate to an easier rehabilitation for you and your shoulder. Please see section on shoulder surgery in the website.

Can all rotator cuff tears be fixed?

There are some tears that are so big and/or the tissue is so poor in quality that a rotator cuff repair will not be helpful. This is why it is important to get the proper treatment on your shoulder before it deteriorates. The status of the tear can be determined by your exam and by an MRI. These patients usually have very poor range of motion in their shoulder and have moderate amounts of pain and discomfort. They will also have “wasting” and weakness of the rotator cuff muscles on exam. Depending on your age, tear size, pain level and presence of other muscles around the shoulder, you may be a good candidate for a procedure which will eliminate your pain and improve your motion. If you think you may fit into this category, ask me if you are a candidate for a “reverse prosthesis” when you come and see me in the clinic.

How do I rehabilitate my shoulder after surgery?

I have specific postoperative rehab protocols which we will use depending on the size of the repaired tear. I work with the best physical therapists in Austin and the surrounding area. Having a good therapist is imperative for good post operative success. Let us find the right therapist for you.