Rotator cuff tear is a common problem. Patients will present with pain and inability to use the shoulder normally, such as being unable to comb their hair or fasten a bra hook. Some may even experience pain in the shoulder just from dressing, along with weakness in the shoulder joint.
Causes of Rotator Cuff Tear
When talking about the shoulder area, it is an important organ that many may overlook and overuse, forgetting that the shoulder connects the arm to the torso, supported by muscles and tendons around it. Excessive use of the arm, such as lifting heavy objects or improper handling, can damage various parts of the shoulder, leading to rotator cuff tears. There are three main causes:
- Physical Degeneration Patients who are middle-aged or older may have a history of heavy use of this area. Tendons that once had good blood circulation decrease with age, making them brittle or prone to tears. Additionally, calcium deposits under the upper shoulder bone can rub against the tendons, causing damage.
- Prolonged Continuous Use This mostly occurs in athletes or laborers. Even with proper technique, overuse without adequate rest can damage the tendons around the shoulder.
- Excessive Force Even in young and strong individuals, lifting weights beyond the body’s capacity or quickly grabbing falling objects or forcing movements against the body’s natural mechanics can directly harm the shoulder.
Symptoms of Rotator Cuff Tear
Patients with rotator cuff tears will experience pain in the affected shoulder along with these symptoms:
Pain in the injured shoulder and weakness, with the pain severity depending on the extent of the tendon tear.
In partial tears, patients may feel pain but can still move the arm. In severe cases, patients cannot raise, extend, or move the arm normally.
Treatment of Rotator Cuff Tear
Treatment begins after evaluation by a doctor who will diagnose through movement tests and X-ray results. Treatment levels vary from resting the shoulder and arm combined with anti-inflammatory medication, hot or cold compresses. In some cases, physical therapy with various exercises is used to gradually increase shoulder mobility. For severe cases where the patient cannot use the shoulder or experiences unbearable pain or arm dysfunction, surgery may be considered. The doctor may perform arthroscopic rotator cuff repair to restore normal shoulder function. At Phyathai 3 Hospital, arthroscopic surgery is offered, which significantly shortens the surgery time, results in minimal scarring, and reduces recovery time compared to traditional surgery, allowing patients to return to their daily lives more quickly.
Musculoskeletal Institute, Phyathai 3 Hospital, 1st Floor
Open daily from 08:00 – 22:00
Phyathai Call Center 1772 or
Tel. 0-2467-1111 ext. 3100 and 3112
