The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their tendons that surround the shoulder joint. They keep the ball of the upper arm centred in the socket and help lift and rotate the arm.
Rotator cuff tendons can tear suddenly, from a fall or from lifting something heavy, or gradually, as the tendon wears with age and repeated overhead use. Tears are common after the age of 50, and not all of them cause symptoms.
Your surgeon will test the strength and movement of the shoulder. Ultrasound or MRI shows whether there is a tear, how large it is, and the condition of the muscle.
Many tears, particularly gradual tears in older adults, respond to physiotherapy, pain relief and, sometimes, a steroid injection. Surgical repair is usually considered for tears caused by an injury, for younger and active patients, and when pain and weakness continue despite non-surgical treatment.
Rotator cuff repair is usually done arthroscopically. The torn tendon is reattached to the bone using small anchors that hold stitches.
The tendon takes time to heal back to bone, so following the rehabilitation plan closely matters. Risks include stiffness, infection, re-tearing of the tendon and, rarely, nerve injury.
Dr L. Rajah, Dr S. Baba.