Rotor Cuff Tear
After a fall, a wrenching injury to the shoulder or perhaps with no warning the rotator cuff tendon can tear off its bony attachment.
Symptoms
A painful, weak arm with difficulty performing overhead activities.
Investigations
X rays and either an ultrasound or MRI scan
Treatments
Non-Operative: Tears of the rotator cuff can be treated with physiotherapy to strengthen up the non-affected muscles and tendons around the shoulder. Injections of local anaesthetic and cortisone can be given to reduce pain.
Operative: If the above treatments fail then the rotator cuff tears can be repaired with either keyhole or open surgery depending on the size of the tear.
MRI of rotator attaching to bone. This attachment is torn off when there is a tear of the Rotator Cuff.
