Tears in the shoulder’s rotator cuff are very common. When it happens, it can cause a lot of pain and disability and can significantly reduce your ability to use your shoulder, making daily tasks like washing dishes, showering, and getting dressed difficult.
The rotator cuff is made up of muscles and tendons that help the shoulder to move. When one or more tendons that make up the rotator cuff are torn, the tendon no longer adequately connects muscle to bone. It can cause weakness, pain, and limited motion of the affected shoulder. Perhaps the most common symptoms of a rotator cuff tear are pain even when resting or when lifting objects and a crackling sensation when moving the shoulder.
Rotator cuff tears can occur in two main ways:
- Partial tears happen when the tendon tears partially and is not severed completely
- Complete tears (also called full-thickness tears) happen when the tendon completely severs from bone
Causes of Rotator Cuff Tears
Rotator cuff tears happen due to injuries incurred through acute trauma or as part of the wear-and-tear degenerative process that occurs as we age. Most individuals with rotator cuff tears are either athletes who take part in rigorous activities or are above the age of 40.
Here are the most common causes of rotator cuff tears:
Injury. Rotator cuff tears are often caused by acute trauma. This particular type of rotator cuff tear is called an acute tear. It happens when a person falls with the arm outstretched or when a person lifts a heavy object incorrectly. It is also very common to have an acute tear along with other types of shoulder injuries like a fractured collarbone or dislocated shoulder.
Wear and Tear. Another common cause of tears is the degeneration of the rotator cuff over time. Tendons wear down, and the degeneration process happens slowly, usually triggered by overexertion or overuse. The overall chance of developing a rotator cuff tear increases with age – making injury-related rotator cuff tears more likely, too.
As tendons in the rotator cuff continue to wear down over time, there are certain factors that can make rotator cuff tears more likely. These include:
- Repetitive Movements – The rotator cuff is likely to strain and get damaged when the same motion is frequently repeated. If a person has a job that requires frequent strain on the rotator cuff or takes part in sports like tennis or weightlifting, there are more chances of a rotator cuff tear.
- Bone Spurs – Bone spurs or bony overgrowth can happen in the shoulder. When the bone spur rubs against the rotator cuff tendon, it can weaken the tendon and increase the chances of a rotator cuff tear in the future.
- Lack of Blood Reaching the Tendon – A healthy blood supply helps the body heal and decreases the chances of future health problems. When the shoulder does not get access to a healthy supply of blood, the body can’t repair small injuries or damage that occurs. This essentially weakens the shoulder (and rotator cuff tendon) over time and increases the chances of a tear happening in the future.
At Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder, you will receive high-quality patient care from board-certified orthopedic surgeons with expertise in treating myriad health problems in the shoulder, arm, wrist, elbow, and hand. If you are experiencing shoulder pain, have been diagnosed with a rotator cuff tear, or have any other type of musculoskeletal problem in the upper extremities, the experienced team at Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder would love to help. Call (410) 296-6232 today to make an appointment. You can also request an appointment online.
