Front view of shoulder muscles forming rotator cuff tendon
(Left) Normal intact cuff; (Right) Torn cuff tendon
Overview of Rotator Cuff Tear Injury (Shoulder)
Rotator cuff is formed by four muscles originating from blade of shoulder (scapula) which come together to form cuff tendon and attach to upper arm bone (humeral head). Function of these muscles is to keep the humeral head in shallow socket of the shoulder joint there-by stabilize the joint and help in doing overhead activity. Rotator cuff injuries are common with increasing age (sometimes called wear not a tear). It may occur in young age, people who have to work with  repeated overhead motion. E.g. Person with a job like painters, carpenters etc.
- Acute injury- The rotator cuff tear can occur due to traumatic event like fall on outstretched hand , sports injury or motor vehicle accident.
- Chronic overuse - The rotator cuff is injured from repetitive shoulder movements, such as throwing, swimming, tennis or  lifting overhead weights (Gym goers).
- Degeneration - The rotator cuff can be torn from natural wear and tear associated with aging.
- Pre-existing conditions such as shoulder impingement and rotator cuff tendonitis may lead to rotator cuff tear.
- Common symptom is pain over top of shoulder and stiffness of shoulder joint.
- The pain may radiate down towards the mid arm shoulder pain. Sometimes pain is even with rest and sleep is disturbed particularly when patient sleeps on the affected shoulder.
- Other  symptoms include shoulder weakness and painful arm movements secondary to inflammation of the muscle-tendon unit (tendonitis).
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Do you have shoulder pain, stiffness or sustained a rotator cuff injury?
You can consult Dr. Abhijit Ranaware (Knee and sports injury Specialist)
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Rotator Cuff Injury Diagnosis
Dr. Abhijit Ranaware will ask detail history to find out wheatear the shoulder pain is due to traumatic event, overuse, or insidious onset secondary to aging.  He will do thorough clinical examination and look for any muscle wasting or weakness of rotator cuff muscle and perform some special clinical tests. He will check for range of motion and strength of each muscle of rotator cuff.
Dr. Abhijit Ranaware may advice following investigations:
- Shoulder X rays – Although rotator cuff tear is not seen on x-rays but will show up bony spurs or arthritis of shoulder and AC joint (other causes of shoulder pain).
- Ultrasound– Soft tissues like muscle and tendon are seen very well on Sonography. Â Movement of tendon and muscle is seen with ultrasound and can be compared with non-injured shoulder.
- Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI) – The MRI Images will show all details of rotator cuff injury along with quality of torn tissue. Â MRI will also help diagnose associated problems especially in overhead athletes.
