Rotator Cuff Tear Specialist

What is a rotator cuff tear?

The rotator cuff is made up of four muscles and tendons that work together to "rotate" and move your arms and keep your shoulder joint in place. A rotator cuff tear is a common injury in which the tendon that protects the top of your shoulder gets damaged.

There are two main types of rotator cuff tears:

Partial thickness tear

Also known as an incomplete tear.  The rotator cuff tendon is exposed to impinging forces which can cause attritional changes resulting in "tendinosis" or degeneration of the tendon.  This degeneration can result in a damaged or frayed tendon but it is not completely torn.

Full thickness tear

A complete, or full-thickness, tear separates the tendon from the bone. This type of tear is essentially a full and complete dissconnection of the rotator cuff tendon from the bone.

What causes rotator cuff injuries?

The two main causes of rotator cuff tears are injury and overuse.

Acute tear

This type of tear happens suddenly as the result of an injury. If you fall down on your arm or lift something too heavy, you might end up with an acute rotator cuff tear.

Degenerative tear

Most rotator cuff tears are degenerative, meaning they happen gradually over time. A number of factors contribute to these types of tears, including:

• Repetitive motions from work, lifting weights or playing sports
• Decreased blood supply from aging
• Bone spurs

What does it feel like to have a torn rotator cuff?

It’s possible to have a torn rotator cuff without even knowing it, especially in cases of degenerative tears. However, you might have a rotator cuff injury if you experience the following common symptoms:

• Trouble raising your arm
• Weakness in your shoulder
• Pain when moving your arm certain ways
• Discomfort while trying to sleep on your arm
• Crackling sensation when moving your shoulder

How does an orthopaedic surgeon treat a rotator cuff injury?

First, Dr. Lewis evaluates your symptoms and medical history. Then, he examines your shoulder for any tenderness or signs of injury. He may ask you to move your arm in different directions to assess your range of motion.

If he determines you have a rotator cuff tear, Dr. Lewis discusses the best treatment options based on your condition. Some rotator cuff tears improve with physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medicines.

If your tear is serious, Dr. Lewis may recommend arthroscopic surgery. He provides the following procedures to treat torn rotator cuffs:

• Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair
• Arthroscopic subacromial decompression
• Arthroscopic soft tissue biceps tenodesis

If you think you may have a torn rotator cuff, call Coastal Shoulder Surgery & Sports Medicine today!!  Located in Tampa Bay, Largo, FL.