| There are many ways to tear your rotator cuff. It can | | | | Duration of Pain |
| tear due to trauma, such as when you injure your | | | | Typical sprains generally go away after a few hours |
| through overexertion or during an accident. Wear and | | | | or possibly a day, at the most. If you experience pain |
| tear through the frequent, repetitive use of the muscles | | | | that lasts longer than two days, you should definitely |
| in your shoulder is also common. | | | | be seen by a doctor. There is a strong possibility that |
| Or a torn rotator cuff can also be the result of an | | | | you have torn your rotator cuff. |
| aging body as your muscles degrade over time. All of | | | | If you are not able to work because the pain just |
| these can potentially result in torn rotator cuffs. | | | | won't go away, that is a significant indication that you |
| The chances of having a tear are especially | | | | may have a torn rotator cuff. You should see a doctor |
| pronounced if you participate in activities that rely | | | | rather than trying to tolerate the pain. Ignoring the pain |
| heavily on the overhead use of your arms. Swimming, | | | | can cause an even larger tear that could require |
| basketball, volleyball, and even painting, are all | | | | surgery. |
| examples of activities that can take a heavy toll. | | | | Inability to Move |
| Regardless of the cause, if you have a torn rotator | | | | With some torn rotator cuffs, you may not experience |
| cuff that is left untreated, you could end up losing the | | | | any pain. You may not be able to move your shoulder |
| use of your arm. To prevent this from happening, it is | | | | or arm past a certain point, or in certain ways, or you |
| helpful to be aware of the signs of a torn rotator cuff | | | | may feel weak in the area around your rotator cuffs, |
| outlined below. | | | | but these symptoms may not be accompanied by any |
| Shoulder Pain | | | | pain at all. |
| Shoulder pain is typically the first, and the most | | | | You might not know it, but this could mean you already |
| dramatic, sign. Shoulder pain can be caused by other | | | | have a tear. You don't experience any pain - just an |
| things, such as heart problems, so it is very important | | | | unexplained weakness or paralysis. These signs are |
| not to ignore this pain. | | | | especially the case with chronic rotator cuff tears, |
| The pain from a torn rotator cuff can be a sharp pain | | | | where your muscles have torn in such a way that a |
| that immediately follows an injury or overexertion. This | | | | pain response was not triggered. |
| indicates acute tearing of the rotator cuff. The pain | | | | If you have any of these signs, you should see a |
| can also be deep and dull, or it can be a sharp pain | | | | doctor immediately. Torn rotator cuffs that are left |
| that only occurs when your arm is moved in certain | | | | untreated will only get worse. This will cause more pain |
| ways over a long period of time. Both of these types | | | | and require more extensive treatment. |
| of pain may indicate chronic tearing of the rotator cuff. | | | | |