Muscles and tendons that keep the shoulder in place form the rotator cuff. In adults, a rotator cuff tear is commonly seen to cause pain and discomfort.
Generally, an injury to the rotator cuff can come from the degeneration of the tissues or a specific incident like a fall. A certain repeated arm movement can also be a cause.
This tear is common in sports and the risk of injury increases with age.
Not all rotator cuff tears will cause pain but arm weakness and other symptoms may still be seen.
An X-ray or MRI may be involved to capture images of tissues, organs, and bones. An ultrasound test can also be used to assess the movement of the shoulder’s structures.
A rotator cuff tear can be partial or full. A doctor’s physical examination and a health history check are also part of the diagnosis.
Reviewed by Dr. Ruben Manohara, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon, Shoulder | Elbow Orthopaedic Clinic
