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Definition of Large Tear of Rotator Cuff

The shoulder is a complex joint that is of great importance. Because we need our shoulders for so much of what we do, injuries to the joint are difficult to deal with. Damage to the rotator cuff is one of the most common causes of pain in the shoulder.

  1. Definition

    • The rotator cuff is a group of four tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint. Each tendon connects a different muscle to the shoulder and controls a different type of movement. The most common tears of the rotator cuff happen with the supraspinatus muscle, which is the one that takes care of lifting the arm up and away from the body. When the rotator cuff is torn, it is actually the connecting tendon that is torn.

    Identification

    • Large or full tears of the rotator cuff may involve just one tendon, which is most commonly the supraspinatus, but they may be larger and involve multiple tendons of the shoulder.

    Causes

    • There are a number of possible causes of injury to the rotator cuff, but they are most commonly seen in people who have a medical history of shoulder issues. While athletes who exert significant pressure on the shoulder because of repetitive overhead activity are at increased risk of injury, it is most common in people over age 40.

    Types

    • A full-thickness tear of the rotator cuff is most commonly brought on by trauma to the shoulder joint, but tears also result from chronic conditions of a weakened joint, typically due to aging. Weakening of the joint can also be the result of things like poor posture, genetic issues or continuous overhead motions like swinging a tennis racket, throwing a baseball or spiking a volleyball.

    Symptoms

    • The symptoms of a torn rotator cuff include weakness in the shoulder, tenderness to the touch, limited range of motion and most commonly, pain, especially when the arm is raised above the head.

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