Rotator Cuff Tear

Between two and four million Americans suffer a rotator cuff tear each year. Luckily, prompt treatment can prevent the injury from worsening and restore your joint’s mobility. At Orthopaedic Specialists of Dallas, with offices in Rockwall, Wylie, Forney, and Terrell, Texas, the team provides complete care for rotator cuff tears. After an exam, they develop a personalized treatment plan to reduce pain and speed healing. Call Orthopaedic Specialists of Dallas today to schedule an appointment, or book your visit online. 

My shoulder hurts; could it be a rotator cuff tear?

A rotator cuff tear is an injury to the muscles and tendons that surround and support your shoulder joint. Your rotator cuffs help you lift your arms, reach, and throw. They’re durable and flexible but undergo wear-and-tear daily. If you rely on your shoulders for work or play or suffer a shoulder injury, your symptoms might be due to a rotator cuff tear.

Does a rotator cuff tear present symptoms?

Rotator cuff tear symptoms include:

• Shoulder pain and weakness
• Popping, clicking, or cracking sounds when you move your shoulder
• Shoulder pain that’s worse when resting your arm
• Difficulty lifting items

Rotator cuff tears fall into two categories –– partial and complete. A partial tear is minor and leaves your tendon intact, while a complete tear causes your tendon to fully separate from the bone. 

How does an orthopaedic specialist diagnose a rotator cuff tear?

Your Orthopaedic Specialists of Dallas provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including where the pain occurs, what it feels like, and if it’s worse at night or during periods of rest. 

They complete an exam, checking your shoulder joint and the surrounding skin for redness, bruising, and swelling. Your provider gently presses on your shoulder and upper arm to identify sensitive areas and assess your muscle strength and range of motion. 

Then, they order magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or an ultrasound to look at the muscles and tendons in your rotator cuff and check for tears. 

How does an orthopaedic specialist treat a rotator cuff tear?

Treatment of a rotator cuff tear depends on the severity of the injury and its effect on your range of motion. The Orthopaedic Specialists of Dallas team typically recommends a conservative approach. They might suggest:

• Wearing an arm sling
• Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Physical therapy
• Corticosteroid injections

You might benefit from surgery if you have a complete rotator cuff tear or you have a partial tear and your symptoms continue. The team offers minimally invasive rotator cuff repair surgery. This procedure uses smaller incisions, allowing for less scarring, less pain, and a quicker recovery.

Call Orthopaedic Specialists of Dallas today to schedule treatment for a rotator cuff tear, or book your appointment online.