According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), a rotator cuff tear refers to an injury in the muscles of your shoulder. The four muscles in your shoulder are the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis muscles. These muscles all attach to your shoulder blade and allow your shoulder to move in all directions.
Symptoms
UCSF Medical Center states that common symptoms of a rotator cuff tear include shoulder pain, muscle weakness, crepitus (crackling sounds when you move your arm) and a limited range of motion.
Cause
AAOS states that repetitive reaching motions cause a tear in your rotator cuff. For example, weightlifting, baseball and tennis are activities that can cause you to damage your rotator cuff. Direct trauma to your shoulder can also cause rotator cuff tears.
Diagnose
To diagnose a rotator cuff tear, your doctor will perform a thorough history and physical exam and obtain an X-ray to rule out any bone fractures, according to the UCSF Medical Center.
Population
According to AAOS, rotator cuff tears are most common in people over the age of 40. However, rotator cuff tears can occur in younger people.
Treating
USCF Medical Center states that treatment for a rotator cuff tear includes rest, stretching exercises, pain medications and surgical repair.
