Rotator Cuff Tear

Rotator Cuff Tear services offered in Edison, Clifton, Hazlet, Jersey City and West Orange, NJ

A rotator cuff tear is a common shoulder injury that brings almost two million people to the doctor each year. The team of orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine specialists at Garden State Pain & Orthopedics treat rotator cuff tears at their state-of-the-art facilities in Edison, Clifton, Hazlet, Paramus, and Jersey City, New Jersey. If you think you may have a torn rotator cuff, call or book an appointment online today.

Rotator Cuff Tear Q & A

What is a rotator cuff tear?

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that hold the head of your upper arm bone (humerus) in your shoulder socket. In addition to stabilizing your shoulder joint, the rotator cuff helps you lift and rotate your arm.

A rotator cuff tear happens when one or more of these tendons become damaged or injured. A rotator cuff tear can be partial, or incomplete, or it may entirely sever the tendon in a full-thickness tear.

What causes a rotator cuff tear?

The two main causes of a rotator cuff tear include injury and degeneration.

Acute tear

Acute rotator cuff tears may occur after an injury, such as falling down on an outstretched arm, or while lifting something heavy with improper form.

Degenerative tear

Degenerative tears are much more common and happen slowly. Repetitive stress from arm motions such as throwing a ball, weightlifting, or even painting a house can cause the rotator cuff to wear down and fray. These tears are more common with increasing age.

How do I know if I have a rotator cuff tear?

Acute rotator cuff tears cause severe pain immediately after the traumatic event, but symptoms of degenerative tears may appear more slowly. The most common signs and symptoms of a rotator cuff tear include:

Shoulder pain that may be worse at night
Weakness in the affected arm
A crackling sensation in the shoulder

Pain from a degenerative tear may be mild at first and worsen over time. Some rotator cuff tears aren’t painful at all, but cause weakness when lifting or rotating your arm.

How is a rotator cuff tear diagnosed and treated?

First, your physician at Garden State Pain & Orthopedics examines your shoulder and reviews your symptoms and medical history. They evaluate your shoulder strength and range of motion and may take tests, such as X-ray or MRI.

Then, they recommend the best course of treatment for your particular condition. About 80% of patients find relief from pain and other symptoms of a rotator cuff tear from non-surgical treatments, such as:

Rest and activity modifications
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication
Physical therapy exercises
Steroid injections
Alternative therapies

If you have a severe tear or don’t notice improvement with treatment, the team at Garden State Pain Control may recommend surgery. Many rotator cuff repairs can be done as a minimally invasive arthroscopic procedure. To learn more, call or book an appointment online today.