Rotator Cuff Tears

• Rotator cuff tears refer to injury to the tendons of the rotator cuff muscles. The tendon may be partially or fully torn.
• Tears of the rotator cuff can occur due to an acute injury (e.g., a fall onto an outstretched hand) or degenerative changes with age. They may be related to overhead activities, such as playing tennis or overhead construction work.
• Rotator cuff muscles

  • Supraspinatus
  • Infraspinatus
  • Teres minor
  • Subscapularis
• Rotator cuff muscles

  • Supraspinatus abducts the arm
  • Infraspinatus externally rotates the arm
  • Teres minor externally rotates the arm
  • Subscapularis internally rotates the arm
• Rotator cuff tears may present either with an acute onset of symptoms
• Mnemonic

  • Supraspinatus - abducts the arm
  • Infraspinatus - externally rotates the arm
  • Teres minor - externally rotates the arm
  • Subscapularis - internally rotates the arm
• Non-surgical options

  • Rest and adapted activities
  • Analgesia (e.g., NSAIDs)
  • Physiotherapy
• Surgical management options

  • Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, where the tendon is reattached to the bone during an arthroscopy (keyhole surgery)
• Last updated

  August 2021