A Rotator cuff tear is a common problem that weakens the shoulder area and results in pain while performing routine activities such as combing hair or getting ready. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that keeps your arm in its shoulder joint.
What are the Causes of Rotator Cuff Tear?
Rotator cuff tears can be attributed to 2 main causes that are either due to injury or due to degeneration.
- Acute Tear
You can tear your rotator cuff due to an injury that includes falling on an outstretched arm or lifting something very heavy with a jerk. In addition, other shoulder injuries, such as a broken collarbone or a dislocated shoulder, can cause this form of a tear.
- Degenerative Tear
Most Rotator Cuff tear arises as a result of the tendon gradually breaking down over time. Certain risk factors that might cause degenerative tear include age, family history, and jobs that require repetitive arm motions, such as carpentry or construction.
Several factors that can potentially lead to a degenerative rotator cuff tear include:
- Repetitive Stress: Repeating the same shoulder movements can cause rotator cuff muscles and tendons to become overworked.
- Lack of Blood Supply: Older age can lead to decreased blood supply in the rotator cuff, which affects the body’s natural ability to repair damaged muscles.
- Bone Spurs: Bone spurs or bone overgrowth on the underside of the acromion bone are common as we get older. This causes the bone overgrowths to rub on the rotator cuff tendons while lifting the arms, which results in the weakening of tendons.
What are the symptoms of a Torn Rotator Cuff Tendon?
Acute Rotator Cuff tears cause intense pain and a cracking feeling in the upper arms resulting in immediate weakness. However, for degenerative rotator cuff tears, it might be months before you can witness some symptoms.
Some of the most common symptoms of a torn rotator cuff tendon are:
- Difficulty achieving full range of motion in the affected shoulder
- Pain in the shoulder while reaching overhead or rotating the arms
- Experiencing a crackling sound while turning your shoulders in specific positions
- Pain in the shoulder while lifting something or doing some movements
- Weakness in the arms
- Trouble in reaching behind the back along with pain in the shoulder.
- Pain and discomfort while sleeping on the affected shoulder
It is best to consult an orthopaedic or your general physician if any of these symptoms persist for more than a week.
How is a Torn Rotator Cuff Tendon Diagnosed?
Doctors rely upon physical examination and imaging scan to diagnose a torn rotator cuff tendon.
- Physical examination
Your doctor might inquire about your medical history and engagement in physical activities to assess the risk of a degenerative injury. Through a physical examination, your doctor will be able to test your shoulder’s range of motion to rule out other conditions such as arthritis or a pinched nerve.
- Imaging tests
Post the physical examination, the doctor can recommend an imaging test such as an X-ray to identify any bone overgrowths that might be causing pain. In addition, advanced imaging tests such as Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used to diagnose soft tissues in the shoulder and identify Torn Rotator Cuff Tendons.
What is the treatment for a Rotator Cuff Tear?
It is recommended to treat Rotator cuff tear at the earliest as delaying the treatment can cause more pain and enlarge the tear over time.
Based on the size of your tear, age, level of physical activity and type of rotator cuff tear, your doctor would recommend either a surgical or a non-surgical procedure to restore the function of your rotator cuff tendon. However, usually, doctors advise treating torn rotator cuff tendons with physical therapy first.
Non-surgical treatment:
Various non-surgical treatments for torn rotator cuff tendons include:
- Rest
Limiting overhead activities and protecting your shoulders can heal your rotator cuff tear over time. Any activity that causes shoulder pain should be limited.
- Physical Therapy
Physiotherapy and related strengthening exercises can improve flexibility and range of motion of the shoulder. This can help build muscles surrounding the torn rotator cuff that can alleviate pain and prevent any further damage. Physiotherapists also recommend applying hot or cold packs to the injured area to prevent swelling.
- Medications
Your doctor might also recommend some medications to relieve pain and swelling.
Although nonsurgical treatments can avoid opting for surgery, they have a significantly longer recovery time, and the size of the tear might increase in case of negligence. However, if nonsurgical methods fail to relieve your pain or you have a larger tear, then your doctor might recommend surgery to treat the torn rotator cuff tendon.
Surgical treatment:
Arthroscopy is a popular procedure for repairing a rotator cuff tear.
It entails inserting an arthroscope through a small incision to mend the torn rotator cuff by using stitches or sutures to attach the tendon to the bone.
Other surgeries include open tendon repair, tendon transfer or shoulder replacement to address issues such as permanent stiffness and nature of the tear.
What are the risks in Rotator cuff surgery?
Some of the risks involved in the surgery include infections, allergic reaction to medications, anaesthesia complications and failure in relieving symptoms.
However, in most cases, arthroscopic surgery is minimally invasive, reduces the chances of infections and helps in alleviating pain in the shoulders.
Conclusion
It is important to notice symptoms such as pain in the shoulders to take prompt measures for a torn rotator cuff tendon. The treatment plan for rotator cuff injury depends on the injury type and size of the tear. It can be treated through nonsurgical procedures such as physical therapy and natural healing. However, in case of a more severe rotator cuff tear, surgical measures such as arthroscopy can help relieve pain and improve the function of the rotator cuff.
FAQS:
How long does it take for a torn rotator cuff to heal without surgery?
Depending on the nature of the tear, it might take anywhere between 4-6 months for the pain to recede. In some cases, it even takes a year for the torn rotator cuff to heal and ensure complete movement of the shoulder to and resume routine physical activities.
Can a torn rotator cuff heal on its own?
Yes, a torn rotator cuff can heal on its own with appropriate rest and physical therapy.
What happens if a torn rotator cuff goes untreated?
Ignoring a rotator cuff tear can lead to severe conditions that can limit the motion of your shoulders and might even lead to an increased tear in the rotator cuff over time.