ROTATOR CUFF TEARA TEAR OF THE ROTATOR CUFF IS A TEAR OF ONE OR MORE OF THE FOUR MUSCLES AND THEIR ASSOCIATED TENDONS THAT ARE IN THE SHOULDER. THESE TEARS CAN BE EITHER CHRONIC OR ACUTE. CHRONIC TEARS ARE CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE OVERHEAD ACTIVITIES SUCH AS A BASEBALL PITCHER OR A PAINTER. ACUTE TEARS ARE CAUSED BY A SUDDEN, POWERFUL RAISING OF THE ARMS AGAINST RESISTANCE SUCH AS HEAVY LIFTING OR CUSHIONING A FALL.
SYMPTOMS OF A ROTATOR CUFF TEAR INCLUDE SHOULDER PAIN THAT CAN RADIATE DOWN THE ARM. LACK OF MOBILITY IN THE ARM. AND THE INABILITY TO RAISE THE INJURED ARM OVERHEAD.
MRI HAS BECOME THE TEST OF CHOICE FOR MOST SUSPECTED ROTATOR CUFF TEARS. MRI IS ABLE TO IDENTIFY ALL ROTATOR CUFF INJURIES FROM DEGENERATIVE TO PARTIAL TO COMPLETE TEARS.
TREATMENT FOR PARTIAL TEARS USUALLY INVOLVES MEDICATION FOR THE PAIN AND THERAPY. COMPLETE TENDON TEARS ARE REPAIRED SURGICALLY WITH A 95% SUCCESS RATE.
