Shoulder |
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Rotator Cuff Tear
 Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Signs and Symptoms Although there are many reasons for shoulder pain, a common problem for people over 40 years of age is a rotator cuff tear. The rotator cuff is comprised of the muscles and tendons that surround the top of the upper arm bone — the humerus — and hold it in the shoulder joint.
A sudden tear may result from a single traumatic event or develop gradually because of repetitive overhead activities. A partial tear may cause pain when the arm is lifted in a certain arc away from the body (painful arc syndrome) and a complete tear may limit the aility to raise the arm.
A rotator cuff tear usually occurs in the dominant arm — the right shoulder for right-handed people and the left shoulder for left-handed people.
Signs and symptoms of rotator cuff tears are:
- Recurrent, constant pain, particularly with overhead activities.
- Pain at night that prevents you from sleeping on the affected side.
- Muscle weakness, especially when attempting to lift the arm.
- Catching and grating or cracking sounds when the arm is moved.
Limited motion.
Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated February 1, 2010
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