Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. The rotator cuff is a group of tough, flexible fibers (tendons) and muscles in the shoulder. Rotator cuff disorders include: Most rotator cuff disorders are caused by a mix of overuse and normal wear and tear. Activities in which you use your arms above your head a lot—such as tennis, swimming, or house painting—can lead to rotator cuff problems. Even normal motions made often over a long period can stress or injure the rotator cuff. Using your shoulder for many years slowly damages the rotator cuff. As you age, everyday activities can lead to changes in the rotator cuff. These changes include thinning and fraying of the tendons and reduced blood supply. It takes great force to tear a healthy rotator cuff tendon. This can happen during sports, an accident, or a severe fall. But even a simple movement like lifting a suitcase can cause a rotator cuff tear in an older adult or someone whose shoulder is already damaged. A rotator cuff disorder causes pain and weakness in your shoulder. It may hurt to do everyday activities, such as combing your hair, tucking in your shirt, or reaching above your head. Because of the pain, you may try not to use your arm. And that can cause even more weakness and stiffness in the shoulder. With tendinopathy (damage or irritation to the tendon), the pain usually starts bit by bit, over the side of the shoulder and the upper arm. Over time, the pain may get worse, or you may have constant pain. In some cases, this is because you actually have one or more small tendon tears. The most common symptoms of a tear are: Symptoms of a sudden, severe tear include: You can have a complete tear without symptoms, especially if you are an older adult who is not very active. To diagnose a rotator cuff disorder, doctors ask about any shoulder injuries or past shoulder pain. They also do a physical exam. The exam helps them to see how well the shoulder works and to find painful areas or activities. Moving your arm in certain ways can help the doctor learn about the condition of the rotator cuff. You may have an X-ray to check the bones of the shoulder. If the diagnosis is still unclear, the doctor may order more tests. This may include an imaging test, such as an MRI, an ultrasound, or sometimes an arthrogram. Your doctor thinks about your age, job, and activity level when deciding about more tests. A clear diagnosis is important if you are likely to keep doing things that may do more damage to your shoulder. Treatment depends on your symptoms, your age, and how active you are. Your treatment may include: Most rotator cuff disorders aren't treated with surgery. But doctors may do surgery if a rotator cuff tendon is torn. They may also do it if several months of other treatments haven't helped. Whether or not you get surgery will depend on your age, the amount of other damage in the shoulder, and the chances that surgery will be a success in your case. And surgery is not a substitute for physical therapy. Even after surgery, you may need months of physical therapy to recover fully. The long-term changes to the shoulder joint from everyday wear and tear can't be totally prevented. But you may be able to prevent some rotator cuff problems if you: Current as of: July 17, 2023 Author: Healthwise Staff Current as of: July 17, 2023 Author: Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.org. © 1995-2024 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.Topic Contents
Rotator Cuff Tendon Impingement
Conditions Basics
What are rotator cuff disorders?
What causes it?
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of rotator cuff tendinopathy
Symptoms of rotator cuff tears
How is it diagnosed?
How are rotator cuff disorders treated?
How can you prevent it?
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Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. Current as of: July 17, 2023 Author: Healthwise Staff Clinical Review BoardRotator Cuff Tendon Impingement
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.