| The rotator cuff is the name for a group of four | | | | A tear in the rotator cuff has specific symptom such |
| muscles that hold the top of the arm in place in the | | | | as weakness in the arm, pain when doing certain |
| shoulder joint. Without them the shoulder would simply | | | | movements, especially reaching up or behind you. The |
| dislocate each time that we tried moving it. All these | | | | test for a tear will usually involve getting someone to |
| muscles are all connected to the scapula, shoulder | | | | gently push against the doctor's hand whilst mimicking |
| blade at one end and the humerus or upper arm bone | | | | these movements; this will usually result in pain. |
| at the other and form a cuff around the shoulder joint, | | | | Treatment can vary depending on the age of the |
| hence the name. | | | | person and the size of the tear. Short or small tears |
| A rotator cuff tear is a tear in one or more of these | | | | are easier to repair and may only need |
| muscles either through too much pressure being put on | | | | anti-inflammatory drugs and physiotherapy, whilst larger |
| them or through wear and tear caused by overuse or | | | | tears may involve keyhole surgery to repair the tear |
| just old age. One analogy I have heard is that of | | | | or free up space for the inflamed muscle to move |
| comparing the tendons of the cuff to a tow rope. If | | | | more easily reducing or eliminating pain altogether. |
| you try pulling something that is too heavy the rope | | | | The younger you are when you have surgery the |
| can tear or snap and if you have been using the same | | | | greater the success rate. As you age the success |
| tow rope for several years it can become frayed | | | | rate of the procedure can drop to around 60%. It is |
| through use. | | | | sometimes worth thinking about what you see as a |
| Rotator cuff tears sometimes come about through a | | | | successful outcome. Obviously, if you are a serious |
| sudden trauma. If, for example, you fall and put your | | | | sportsperson the ideal outcome would be a return to |
| arm out to catch yourself the sudden load can tear | | | | full fitness. On the other hand, if you lead a fairly |
| the muscle. Lifting something that is too heavy could | | | | sedentary lifestyle the aim may be to be able to carry |
| have the same effect but the damage would be | | | | out certain tasks and movements pain free. |
| different as the load is likely to be added more slowly. | | | | Rotator cuff tears come in all shapes and sizes and |
| The muscles and tendons can also just wear out | | | | consequently can vary quite considerably in treatment |
| through repeated use either through age or because a | | | | and prognosis. Physiotherapy will be involved in any |
| work or leisure activity over uses the muscle. Anyone | | | | treatment but it needs to be rotator cuff specific |
| who throws a baseball repeatedly is putting strain on | | | | exercises aimed at exercising and strengthening the |
| their rotator cuff. | | | | group of muscles without causing any further damage. |