RC Pathology: Rotator Cuff Tears (RCT)

Question 1

what is a partial RCT?

Answer 1

tear does not go all the way through the tendon

Question 2

what is a complete (full thickness) RCT?

Answer 2

full tear in which the tendon is separated from the bone

Question 3

degenerative RCTs start to become more common when someone is ____ years old

Answer 3

40-50

Question 4

50% of people have some sort of RCT after what age?

Answer 4

55

Question 5

degenerative RCTs can occur secondary to what 3 things?

Answer 5

• sarcopenia
• postural changes
• balance changes (falls)

Question 6

degenerative RCTs present similarly to what other rotator cuff pathology?

Answer 6

tendonitis/tendinopathy

Question 7

traumatic RCTs typically occur due to ____

Answer 7

falling

Question 8

do traumatic RCTs often cause a larger or smaller tear than a degenerative RCT?

Answer 8

larger

Question 9

which type of RCT is easier to diagnose: traumatic or degenerative?

Answer 9

traumatic

Question 10

amount of weakness is related to the ____ of the tear

Answer 10

size

Question 11

greater than ____ cm in size is considered a large RCT

Answer 11

2.5

Question 12

surgery is more common in ____ tears

Answer 12

large, full thickness