The shoulder joint’s tendons that encircle it are collectively known as the rotator cuff. This intricate structure is essential in facilitating a broad range of shoulder movements, making it the most mobile joint in the human body. The rotator cuff enables us to perform a diverse range of activities with our arms, making it a crucial component of our musculoskeletal system. However, rotator cuff injuries, particularly tears, are a prevalent problem that can make daily tasks excruciatingly painful and challenging. These injuries can be a frustrating and complicated problem once the rotator cuff is compromised.

The rotator cuff comprises four muscles and their corresponding tendons that wrap around the shoulder joint’s front, top, and back aspects, facilitating multidirectional shoulder movements while maintaining joint stability. The rotator cuff muscles’ tendons attach to the top outer part of the humerus bone (arm bone).

Rotator cuff tears can come in various shapes and sizes but are essentially holes that occur within the group of tendons surrounding the shoulder joint. Trauma or injury, such as falling onto the shoulder or arm (common in young or middle-aged individuals), or repeated use and degeneration (more common in middle-aged and elderly individuals) are the most frequent causes of these tears.

The most prevalent symptoms of rotator cuff tears are pain, reduced motion, weakened strength, and loss of function in the shoulder joint.

WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR ROTATOR CUFF TEAR?

Surgery is not always necessary for many rotator cuff tears, and the initial treatment usually involves conservative measures. The primary approach to treating rotator cuff tears includes physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory/analgesic medication, and steroid injections into the shoulder joint. These treatments focus on alleviating the patient’s symptoms and enhancing their motion and strength, but they cannot repair the torn tendon. However, younger patients and those who have suffered an injury or trauma are more likely to require surgery. The surgery is typically performed by surgeon and involves repairing the torn tendon(s) using various techniques. Doctor may recommend arthroscopic surgery. The entire procedure typically lasts about an hour. You can usually go home the same day after this procedure. In other cases, a traditional open surgery may be required.

After surgery, patients will typically undergo a rehabilitation program consisting of physical therapy exercises to restore range of motion and strength to the shoulder joint. Recovery time can vary depending on the extent of the surgery and the individual patient’s healing process, but can range from several weeks to several months.