Signs of a Rotator Cuff Tear
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Signs You May Have Torn Your Rotator Cuff
From brushing your teeth to getting dressed, your rotator cuff helps you perform many everyday tasks. But a problem with this group of muscles and tendons can render you temporarily disabled. Read on to learn the warning signs that may suggest that you’ve torn your rotator cuff.
What is Your Rotator Cuff?
Your shoulder is made up of three bones: your humerus, scapula, and clavicle. Because your shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint, the head of your humerus fits into the shallow socket of your scapula. This joint is held in place by your rotator cuff—which is a group of four muscles that come together as tendons, covering the head of the humerus.
Signs & Symptoms of a Rotator Cuff Tear
Common symptoms of a torn rotator cuff include:
- Pain while resting, especially when lying on the affected shoulder.
- Pain when lifting or lowering the arm during specific movements.
- Weakness when lifting or rotating the arm.
- A “cracking” sensation when moving the shoulder a certain way.
Types of Rotator Cuff Tears
Degenerative Tear
More often than not, rotator cuff tears are caused by the degeneration of the tendon, happening slowly over time with regular wear and tear. Typically, a degenerative tear will affect the dominant arm.
The following factors increase the likelihood of a degenerative tear
- Repetitive stress on the shoulder
- Lack of blood supply to the shoulder
- Bone spurs
Acute Tear
However, acute tears can also be brought on by lifting an object that is too heavy with a jerking motion. This type of tear is typically accompanied by other shoulder injuries like dislocations or broken collar bones.
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