Rotator cuff injury symptoms & treatment

A torn rotator cuff is a common injury affecting millions of people nationwide every year. The rotator cuff covers the top of your arm bone where it fits into the shoulder socket. It’s made up of rotator cuff muscles and tendons. The rotator cuff muscles and rotator cuff tendons work together to stabilize the joint and perform various arm movements.

Damaged rotator cuff tendons or muscles can cause shoulder pain when lifting your arm and limit your range of motion.

Most rotator cuff injuries do not require surgery. However, a torn rotator cuff can get worse over time, making early treatment of shoulder pain important for preventing further damage.

Schedule an orthopedic appointment

From recent injuries to nagging aches and pains, our orthopedic specialists can help. Schedule an appointment in LiveWell, online or by phone.

Rotator cuff experts

At Aurora, we offer a range of advanced treatments depending on the severity of your injury – from rest and physical therapy to injections and shoulder surgery.

As one of the largest local health care providers in Wisconsin, we treat many people with shoulder problems including rotator cuff injuries. People choose Aurora because we provide:

• Full-spectrum care: We provide a complete range of treatment options for injuries like torn rotator cuff or tendonitis, including physical therapy, injections and shoulder surgery. At Aurora, our experts work together across teams to make your treatment process seamless, too.
• High surgical volume: Research shows that hospitals that treat a high number of patients have better surgery results with fewer complications. Our surgeons perform thousands of rotator cuff repair surgeries annually, giving us experience you can rely on.
• Sports health expertise: Rotator cuff tears are common in athletes who repeatedly make overhead motions, like those who play throwing or racquet sports. Many of our orthopedists have specialized sports health training, making them experts at helping athletes and active adults regain function after sports-related injuries. Meet our sports health team.
• Convenient diagnosis and treatment: Our many locations throughout eastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois make it easy to get care close to home. Many of our doctors also offer same-day appointments, so you can get the answers you need fast

Rotator cuff tear symptoms

Shoulder pain, either at rest or with movement, is a key sign of rotator cuff injury. However, not all people with a torn rotator cuff experience rotator cuff pain.

Other rotator cuff tear symptoms include:

• Weakness in your shoulder
• Limited ability to move your arm
• Joint popping when you move your shoulder
• A popping sensation followed by shoulder weakness after a fall or injury

The symptoms of a rotator cuff injury may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always talk with your doctor for a diagnosis.

What causes rotator cuff pain and injury?

Common causes of pain and injury in the rotator cuff include:

• Trauma: Falling on an outstretched arm, heavy lifting or other shoulder injuries – like a dislocated shoulder – can damage the tendons in your shoulder, leading to a rotator cuff tear.
• Overuse: For many people, repetitive motions like painting or overhead lifting can damage the rotator cuff over time. Tennis, volleyball and baseball players are especially at risk because of the motions their sports require.
• Bone spurs: In some cases, a bony growth called a bone spur on the shoulder can cause a rotator cuff tear. Bone spurs may be more common in people with arthritis.

Rotator cuff tests & imaging

To diagnose your shoulder injury, your doctor will first examine your shoulder to see how far you can move it. Diagnosing a rotator cuff tear can also require additional tests, including:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This type of scan uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of your bones and connective tissues.

• X-rays: An X-ray is an imaging procedure that provides images of your bones and internal structures. This test can help doctors see if a bone spur has caused the tear.

Learn more about orthopedic diagnosis.

Types of rotator cuff tears

There are two types of rotator cuff tears: partial tears and full-thickness tears.

• Partial tears go only part of the way into the tendon. They can be just one millimeter deep or much deeper.
• Full-thickness tears go all the way through the tendon.

Treatment for rotator cuff tears

Our orthopedic specialists start with the least invasive treatment methods, only recommending surgery when necessary.

Rotator cuff surgery

A large tear, or one that doesn’t heal with other types of treatment, may require rotator cuff surgery to reattach the tendon. Our orthopedists use minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery for rotator cuff repair. This type of surgery requires just a few small incisions, allowing you to recover faster with less scarring.

Additional treatments related to rotator cuff injury

• Rest: Limiting shoulder activity can allow minor injuries time to heal on their own.
• Medication: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can help address swelling and shoulder pain.
• Physical therapy: Our orthopedic physical therapy specialists can recommend certain exercises to restore strength, flexibility and range of motion in your shoulder to help heal a rotator cuff tear.
• Injections: Periodic cortisone injections for joint pain may help with shoulder pain if rest, medication or physical therapy don’t work.

Other shoulder-related conditions

• Cartilage injury: Your shoulder cartilage can be damaged from overuse during sport or from arthritis. This condition can be treated by surgically repairing or replacing the damaged cartilage.
• Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis): This injury causes your shoulder to become so stiff that you can’t move it. It happens when the connective tissue in your shoulder joint thickens and stiffens.
• Shoulder instability: Shoulder instability means the top of your arm bone repeatedly pops out of your shoulder socket. It can happen after you dislocate your shoulder once or several times. Once the muscles and tendons are damaged, it becomes easier for your joint to slip out of the arm socket.
• Crepitus (joint popping): If you hear a cracking or popping sound when moving your shoulder, you most likely have crepitus. It simply means that air is moving inside your joint, and it’s usually harmless. If you also experience pain, you should see your doctor.
• Rotator cuff tendonitis: Rotator cuff tendonitis is an inflammation of the rotator cuff muscles in the shoulder together with an inflammation of the bursa. The bursa are tiny, slippery sacs of fluid that lubricate joints.