rotator cuff tear

Question 1

what types of injury are associated with rotator cuff tears?

Answer 1

fall onto an outstretched hand)

or degenerative changes with age.

They may be related to overhead activities, such as playing tennis or overhead construction work.

Question 2

which muscles make up the rotator cuff?

Answer 2

S – Supraspinatus – abducts the arm
I – Infraspinatus – externally rotates the arm
T – Teres minor – externally rotates the arm
S – Subscapularis – internally rotates the arm

Question 3

how can rotator cuff tears present?

Answer 3

Shoulder pain
Weakness and pain with specific movements relating to the site of the tear (e.g., abduction with a supraspinatus tear)

Patients may find it difficult to get comfortable at night due to pain in the shoulder, disrupting sleep.

Question 4

what is the imaging of choice for diagnosis?

Answer 4

X-rays will not show soft tissue injuries such as rotator cuff tears. They may be helpful for excluding bony pathology, such as osteoarthritis.

Ultrasound or MRI scans can diagnose a rotator cuff tear.

Question 5

which patients with rotator cuff injuries are you more likely to manage with surgery?

Answer 5

Active or young patients and those with acute or full-thickness tears are more likely to be managed with surgery. Surgery may be used where physiotherapy fails.

the main surgical option= arthoscopic rotator cuff repair

Question 6

what are non surgical options for a rotator cuff injury?

Answer 6

Rest and adapted activities
Analgesia (e.g., NSAIDs)
Physiotherapy