Rotator Cuff Tears

• • Tendon disease is a continuum
  • on one side you have tendinopathies which range from mild to severe
  • on the other end you'll have tears that can be partial or full
• Rotator Cuff Tears:

  • Partial tears:
  • often similar presentation to tendinopathies e.g. pain with overhead activities
  • managing strategies will be similar
  • remember more common in older generation and often asymptomatic
• Rotator Cuff Tears:

  • Full tears:
  • sudden loss of strength - confirmed with resisted testing
  • sudden loss of strength is rare in younger populations as the tendons are healthy and robust, so is more common in the older populations, where they'll have changes to the quality of the tendon, but may not be experiencing any pain
  • sudden inability to actively raise arm - might have to use trunk to lean/swing arm
  • pain free, full passive range of movement
  • onset can be a regular everyday activity - more common in older population
  • more of a chance pts will need orthopaedic consultation