The rotator cuff is located in the shoulder and is made up of four muscles and their tendons. These muscles are the subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor. These muscles help give the shoulder joint stability and help hold the head of the humerus in the glenoid fossa. An injury to the shoulder can put strain on one or more of these muscles/tendons and cause a tear.
There are many activities and different ways to cause a rotator cuff tear. Repetitive over head arm activities, such as throwing a baseball or spiking a volleyball can put strain on the tendons. Also lifting or falling on the shoulder can cause injury. Prolonged tendinitis in the shoulder can lead to weakening of the muscle tendons and lead to a tear. The most common muscle/tendon to get injured is the supraspinatus because it's tending basically wraps over the head of the humerus, making it the most susceptible to injury.
Symptoms of a rotator cuff tear can either be subtle or extreme pain. There can be pain when trying to lift the shoulder above or behind one's back. Also the loss of range of motion as well as increased shoulder weakness.
There are several exams that can be performed to diagnose a rotator cuff tear: xrays, ultrasounds, and MRI's. An MRI is usually the exam most frequently ordered as it visualizes, in great detail, muscles and tendons.
Treatment of a rotator cuff tear and varied according to severity. A mild injury can actually heal itself with time and relaxation. More severe cases can be treated with physical therapy, which will help re-strengthen the shoulder through specific exercises. A physician may choose to inject the shoulder with steroids to help manage pain. If a patient has a very large tear, then surgery can be performed to repair the the tendon/muscle.
