What it is
The rotator cuff is a set of four tendons that hold the ball in the socket and lift and rotate the arm. Tears may come on gradually with age or suddenly after a fall. Not every tear needs repairing, and many people do very well without surgery.
How it usually presents
- Pain over the outer upper arm, especially at night
- Weakness lifting the arm or holding it out to the side
- Difficulty with overhead tasks and hair washing
How it is assessed
Examination of the individual cuff tendons, with ultrasound or MRI to confirm the size, position and quality of the tear.
Treatment options
- Physiotherapy to recruit the remaining tendons
- Subacromial injection to settle pain and allow rehabilitation
- Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for suitable tears
- Tendon transfer or reverse replacement for very large, long-standing tears
Non-surgical treatment is considered first wherever it is reasonable. Which option suits you depends on your symptoms, your goals and what you want from treatment, which is exactly what we discuss in clinic.
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