Rotator Cuff Tears

Words: 502
Pages: 3

The rotator cuff is defined as a group of muscles and tendons that attach to the bones of the shoulder joint, allowing the shoulder to move and keeping it stable. A tear in the rotator cuff happens when one of the tendons is torn from the bone from overuse or injury.
The shoulder joint is a ball and socket type joint. The top part of the arm bone, aka humerus, forms a joint with the shoulder blade, aka scapula. The rotator cuff holds the head of the humerus into the scapula. It also controls movement of the shoulder joint.
The tendons of the rotator cuff pass underneath a bony area on their way to attaching to the top part of the arm bone. When these tendons become inflamed, they can become frayed over this area during shoulder movements.
…show more content…
The first way in which it can occur is by a sudden acute tear. This happens when one falls on their arm while it is out-stretched. Acute tears can also occur after a sudden, jerking motion when one tries to lift something heavy. Additionally, it can occur over time as the rotator cuff tendon breaks down and a condition known as a chronic tear happens. This is more likely to happen when one has chronic tendinitis or impingement syndrome. Over time, the tendon will wear down and eventually tear.
Rotator cuff tears occur in two different ways. The first way happens when a partial tear occurs. This occurs when a tear does not completely sever the attachments to the bone, or a complete, full thickness tear means that the tear goes all the way through the tendon. It may be as small as a pinpoint, or the tear may involve the entire tendon. With complete tears, the tendon has come off, or detached from where it was attached to the bone. This kind of tear does not heal on its own.
The pain with a sudden tear after a fall or injury is usually intense. Right after the injury, one will likely have weakness of the shoulder and arm. It may also be hard to move their shoulder or raise their arm above their shoulder. A snapping sensation may be felt when trying to move their