Rotary cuff tears can occur from a sudden injury such as a fall or may be a gradual condition that develops slowly and progressively worsens over time. Rotary cuff injuries can sometimes occur with even slight movement such as turning over in bed.

Function

A group of four muscles and several tendons control the rotary cuff, working together to provide the shoulder with stability and rotation control. These muscles also help hold the humerus bone in place under the cuff of the shoulder joint.

Location

Rotary cuff tears most often occur in the supraspinatus muscle in the shoulder, which can cause pain and disability in both the arm and shoulder. Often, a tendon is torn and will have to be reattached during surgery.

Symptoms

If you have persistent pain in your shoulder for more than three days, cannot reach overhead or to the side, have weakness in the arm when lifting and lowering, experience any crackling sensations in the joint, or if your shoulder is immobilized, you may have suffered a rotary cuff tear. It is recommended to seek medical attention if any of these symptoms persist for more than a few days.

Common Causes

Overuse of the muscle group and tendons in the shoulder over a long period of time is the most common cause of a rotary cuff tear. Sports such as tennis, baseball, rowing or lifting weights and jobs that entail repetitive overhead lifting are often responsible for gradual tears in the cuff.

Traumatic Injury

Tears in the rotary cuff sometimes occur from a single traumatic injury that cannot heal on its own. They may also occur simultaneously with other injuries such as a shoulder dislocation or fracture.

Prevention/Solution

Surgery is often required for tears and involves the surgeon drilling tiny holes into the bone of the humerus. He will then reattach the torn tendons through holes in the bone or by attaching anchors to them. Any scar tissue surrounding the tendon is also removed during surgery.

Source:

Ortho Info - Rotary Cuff Tears

E Medicine Health - Rotary Cuff Injury

Sports Injury Clinic - Rotary Cuff Injury

More Information:

What is Done in Rotary Cuff Surgery