Are you experiencing shoulder pain or weakness? You may be dealing with a rotator cuff tear. Each year, almost 2 million people in the United States visit their doctors because of rotator cuff tears. This common shoulder injury can significantly impact your quality of life, limiting your ability to perform daily activities and enjoy your favorite hobbies.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the intricacies of rotator cuff tears, exploring the causes, symptoms, and various treatment options available. We’ll discuss both non-surgical and surgical approaches, including the latest advancements in regenerative medicine.
By understanding the nature of rotator cuff tears and the factors influencing treatment decisions, you can make informed choices and work towards a full recovery. Let’s explore the journey to a pain-free shoulder.
Understanding the Basics of Rotator Cuff Tears
Rotator cuff tears, a prevalent shoulder condition, can significantly impact your quality of life. Your rotator cuff consists of muscles and tendons that hold your shoulder in place. It’s one of the most important parts of your shoulder. When the rotator cuff tendons weaken or tear, it can significantly limit shoulder function and cause pain. These tears can be categorized into two main types: partial tears and complete tears.
Dr. Sean Grey, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon at OCR, spoke at the 2024 OCR Symposium stating that,
“Rotator cuff disease encompasses a huge spectrum of conditions. While some tears may heal with conservative treatment, others may require surgical intervention.”
Watch Dr. Sean Grey’s entire keynote speech below from the 2024 Orthopaedics Symposium.
Understanding the basics of what rotator cuff tears are, we can now dive into the common types, causes, symptoms, and treatments of them.
Types of Rotator Cuff Tears, Symptoms & Treatment
There are two primary types of rotator cuff tears: Partial and Complete Tears.
Partial Tears occur when the tendon is still attached to the bone, but the attachment has weakened due to thinning.
- Symptoms: Individuals with partial tears may experience intermittent pain, especially during overhead activities. This pain is a signal from your body that the tendon is stressed and needs support.
- Treatment: Because the tendon is still attached, the focus is often on strengthening and stabilizing the area. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) treatment is used to strengthen the rotator cuff muscles and improve shoulder function and is a common first-line treatment for partial tears. By taking the whole body into account, physiatrists are able to accurately pinpoint problems and enhance performance without surgery.
Complete Tears: A partial tear, if left untreated, may progress to a complete tear over time. Complete tears Involve a complete detachment of part or all of the tendon from the bone.
- Symptoms:
- Severe pain, especially at night: This pain can be a constant reminder that the tendon is no longer holding the shoulder joint in place properly.
- Significant weakness: Since the tendon is detached, it can’t contribute to the strength of the shoulder, leading to difficulty lifting objects or reaching overhead.
- Noticeable loss of shoulder motion: The detached tendon can restrict the movement of the shoulder joint.
- Treatment: Because the tendon is completely detached, treatment options may vary depending on the severity and location of the tear. For larger or more severe complete tears, surgical intervention may be necessary. Surgical options include arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, advanced techniques like biologic scaffolding and reinforced biologic grafts, or, in severe cases, reverse shoulder replacement.
“We have many more tools available now than we did even five years ago. With ongoing research and advancements in surgical techniques, the future of rotator cuff treatment is promising. Biologics like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapy may offer additional non-surgical options.”
– Dr. Sean Grey, MD, OCR Shoulder Disorders and Sports Medicine Specialist
Specialty Orthopaedic Care When You Need It Most
By understanding the nature of rotator cuff tears and the various treatment options available, you can work with our specialists at OCR to develop a personalized treatment plan and return to your active lifestyle. Our PM&R and Shoulder Disorders Specialists can help tailor a treatment that is right for your symptoms and lifestyle.
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- OCR PM&R Specialists: If you’re experiencing shoulder pain or weakness, our Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) team at OCR can work with you to create a personalized, non-surgical treatment plan focused on long-term recovery and improved quality of life. Consult with our PM&R Specialists today. Request an appointment with one of our PM&R Specialists Today!
- OCR Shoulder Disorders Specialists: Because of the shoulder’s wide range of mobility and functionality, you can imagine the difficulties having an injury or pain can cause. If you’re dealing with pain or loss of motion, please contact one of our highly trained specialists. Request an appointment with one of our Shoulder Disorder Specialists today!