A rotator cuff tear is a common injury to the group of muscles and tendons that attach your shoulder blade to your upper arm bone. The rotator cuff helps you to lift and rotate your arm. A tear can occur when one of the tendons or muscles is torn or frayed, which can be caused by overuse, degeneration, or a traumatic injury.
Rotator cuff tears can range from small, partial tears to complete tears that can cause significant pain, weakness, and limited mobility in the shoulder. Symptoms may include pain in the shoulder, weakness when lifting the arm, and difficulty sleeping on the affected shoulder. Treatment options may include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, corticosteroid injections, and in severe cases, surgery.
