What Is a Rotator Cuff Tear?

The rotator cuff is a series of four different muscles. These muscles--the supraspinatus infraspinatus, teres minor and the subscapularis muscles--are responsible for stabilizing the shoulder as well as assisting it with certain movements, such as raising the arm off to the side, a process known as abduction. Rotator cuff tears can occur due to age or because of trauma.

Definition

• A tear of the rotator cuff is a tear in the tendon of one or more of the muscles of the rotator cuff.

Acute Tear

• An acute tear will manifest itself as a sudden "tearing" feeling in the arm, followed by severe pain. Though the pain will go away after a few days, it may be impossible to lift the arm off to the side.

Chronic Tear

• Chronic tears can affect people over the age of 40, and cause a gradual increase in pain that is often worse at night. It also can lead to an inability to raise the arm out to the side.

Partial Tears

• A partial tear is when the tendon becomes frayed but is not totally ruptured. The tear may increase over time.

Full Tears

• If the tendon ruptures completely, it is known as a full tear. The tendon may also completely become detached from the bone.