The rotator cuff is a group of tendons and muscles around the shoulder. They form a cuff on the upper end of the humerus. Helps raise and rotate the arm. It keeps the shoulder stable while moving the arm.

A shoulder rotator cuff tear can happen for a variety of reasons.

It happens to millions of people every year. It is a common cause of shoulder pain. The patient can feel better after proper treatment, prevent a small injury from getting worse, and aid recovery. For many people, physical and physical therapy is the answer. It may be all a patient needs to treat an injured rotator cuff.

A rotator cuff tear is a tear in a group of four muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint and allow you to raise and rotate the arm.

There are two types of rotator cuff tears. A partial tear occurs when one of the muscles that make up the rotator cuff is torn. A complete rupture usually occurs as the tendons pull away from their attachment to the bone.

it is a common injury, especially in athletes, in workers who use their arms raised, such as painters and window cleaners, and when carrying heavy weights. It occurs when falling on the shoulder.

Symptoms of a rotator cuff tear in the shoulder:

• Difficulty raising the arm

• Pain when moving the arm up or lying on it

• A weakness in the shoulder

• Inability to lift objects as usual

• A crackling or popping is heard when the arm is moved

You should see a doctor when these signs and symptoms occur. Otherwise, it could get worse over time. It can end up with a frozen shoulder or increasingly difficult-to-treat arthritis.

The patient may not feel symptoms, especially with mild injuries.

Causes and risk factors

The rotator cuff ruptures in two ways: trauma to the shoulder or erosion of the tendons over time.

A worn-out rotator cuff that ruptures is called a degenerative tear. The risk of this increase with:

• Business: such as construction workers.

• Decreased blood supply: With age, blood circulation in the rotator cuff area decreases, making it difficult for small tears to self-repair, leading to the expansion of the torn patch.

• Beaks and Bone Calcifications: Overgrowth of bone in the shoulder can erode the rotator cuff tissue, causing a tear.

• Age: Rotator cuff tears are more common in people over 60 years of age.

• Family history.

• Athletics.

Diagnosis of the injured shoulder:

During a physical exam, he tests the shoulder’s range of motion and muscle strength. In addition, what are the movements that make the shoulder pain?

In addition, the doctor may order one of the following:

• X-ray imaging to see if the humeral head is pushing towards the rotator cuff, narrowing the articular space.

• Magnetic resonance imaging.

• Ultrasound to see soft tissues such as tendons, muscles, and bursas in the shoulder.

Complications of a rotator cuff tear

If a rotator cuff tear is not treated, the patient may experience weakness and may permanently lose the ability to move the shoulder. The shoulder joint may also be affected.

The patient will need to rest the shoulder to recover, but if the rest period is prolonged, the connective tissue around the tendons may thicken and narrow, which is called a frozen shoulder.

Treatment of a shoulder with a rotator cuff tear:

• Physiotherapy to strengthen the shoulder muscles

• Painkillers such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) and anti-inflammatory drugs to help with pain and swelling

• Physical exercises to do at home

• Rest to allow the rotator cuff to heal

• Shoulder injections, Steroids, Hyaluronic Acid, and Platelet Rich Plasma, which can relieve inflammation and pain.

Surgery may be necessary if that does not work, especially if the tear is complete. The torn area will likely need to be sutured and the tendon reattached to the bone.

In some cases, the surgeon may need to remove small pieces of tendon or bone stuck in the shoulder joint, or thin out certain areas of bone and soft tissue to give the tendon more room to move.

Types of shoulder rotator cuff surgery:

• Arthroscopy. The surgeon will make small holes in the shoulder and then use the arthroscope to repair the tear.

• Surgical opening. The surgeon uses larger instruments to enter the shoulder muscles and repair the tear.

• Mini surgical incision. This method uses both arthroscopy and open methods. The surgeon begins with an arthroscope and ends with larger instruments.

• Tendon transfer. If the tendon is too torn to reattach, the surgeon can use another nearby tendon.

• Shoulder joint replacement. If the rotator cuff tear is large, the entire shoulder joint needs to be replaced.

A treatment Outlook

After surgery, the arm sling is worn for 4-6 weeks. The surgeon is expected to order the following to speed up the healing process:

• Remove the arm holder several times a day and move the elbow, wrist, and hand to improve blood flow in these areas.

• Use the ice pack for 20 minutes at a time and several times to relieve pain and edema.

• Not to raise the arm from the shoulder until the surgeon allows it.

The method of recovery depends largely on the size of the tear and the duration of the rotator cuff tear. The smaller and newer the tear, the better the chance of a result.

Patience. Recovery and rehabilitation are gradual processes. It may take up to a year for the shoulder to be fully utilized again.

Prevention

Exercises to strengthen the shoulders can be done to reduce the risk of a rotator cuff tear, especially in high-risk people.

You should focus on the chest, shoulder, and upper arm muscles as well as the back of the shoulder. This balances the muscles.

The need for physical therapy for a rotator cuff tear in the shoulder

Physical therapy is the method for restoring strength and movement after an injury. It includes things like exercises, ice, heat, massage, and equipment to help return the shoulder to its normal range of motion.

The physical therapist will help:

• Restore your range of motion

• Learn exercises to strengthen the shoulder muscles

• Improving the way you sit and stand to help reduce pain

• A healthy way to sleep

• Learn to carry things safely

• Use ice or heat to relieve pain

• Understand the need to keep moving

• Return to usual activities