A rotator cuff tear is a common cause of shoulder pain, weakness, and limited mobility. Whether caused by injury, overuse, or age-related degeneration, rotator cuff damage can make lifting the arm, reaching overhead, or sleeping on the affected side difficult. Our practice offers advanced rotator cuff repair and shoulder care provided by board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons with extensive expertise in shoulder conditions.
What Is the Rotator Cuff?
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint and allow smooth arm movement. When one or more of these tendons become torn or damaged, the shoulder can become painful, weak, and unstable.
Causes of Rotator Cuff Tears
Rotator cuff tears may occur suddenly or develop gradually over time. Common causes include:
- Traumatic injuries or falls
- Repetitive overhead motions
- Heavy lifting or sports activities
- Age-related tendon degeneration
- Poor shoulder mechanics or muscle imbalance
Early diagnosis is key to preventing tear progression and long-term shoulder dysfunction.
Symptoms of a Rotator Cuff Tear
Patients with a rotator cuff injury may experience:
- Persistent shoulder pain, especially at night
- Weakness when lifting or rotating the arm
- Limited range of motion
- Clicking or popping in the shoulder
- Pain that worsens with overhead activity
If symptoms last more than a few weeks, evaluation by a shoulder specialist is recommended.
Diagnosing Rotator Cuff Injuries
Our shoulder specialists perform a thorough physical examination and may use advanced imaging such as X-rays or MRI to confirm the diagnosis, determine tear size, and assess tendon quality. This allows for a personalized treatment plan tailored to your condition and activity level.
Non-Surgical Rotator Cuff Treatment Options
Many partial tears and tendon injuries can be treated without surgery. Conservative treatment options may include:
- Activity modification and rest
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Physical therapy focused on strength and stability
- Corticosteroid or biologic injections
Non-surgical care aims to reduce pain, improve function, and support healing whenever possible.
When Is Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery Needed?
Rotator cuff repair surgery may be recommended if:
- Pain and weakness persist despite conservative treatment
- The tear is large or worsening
- Shoulder function is significantly limited
- The injury is acute or traumatic
Surgery involves reattaching the torn tendon to the bone, often using minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to reduce tissue disruption and support faster recovery.
Benefits of Rotator Cuff Repair
- Significant pain relief
- Improved shoulder strength and stability
- Restored range of motion
- Better sleep and daily comfort
- Return to work, sports, and normal activities
Recovery After Rotator Cuff Repair
Recovery typically involves a period of immobilization followed by structured physical therapy. While healing timelines vary, most patients experience steady improvement over several months, with continued gains in strength and mobility over time.
Our team provides guided rehabilitation and ongoing support throughout the recovery process.
Schedule a Rotator Cuff Evaluation
Shoulder pain doesn’t have to limit your life. Early diagnosis and expert care can make a meaningful difference in outcomes.
Contact us today to schedule a rotator cuff evaluation and learn whether non-surgical care or rotator cuff repair is right for you.
ROTATOR CUFF Q&A
What is the rotator cuff?
Your shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint made up of your scapula (shoulder blade), clavicle (collarbone), and humerus (upper arm bone). The job of your rotator cuff — a band of muscles that work together as connective tendons — is to keep your arm in your shoulder socket.
Your rotator cuff allows you to move your arm in just about any direction. It’s even protected by fluid-filled sacs known as bursa. Because your rotator cuff rests snugly over the head of your humerus inside your socket though, wear-and-tear conditions and even acute injuries can easily occur.
What are the symptoms of a rotator cuff injury?
Some rotator cuff injuries occur because of overuse, like if you play a throwing sport such as baseball. Other times, you can tear or damage your rotator cuff when you experience trauma, including a slip and fall accident. When you tear one or more of your rotator cuff tendons, the tendon partially or fully splits apart from the head of your humerus, which can lead to:
- Chronic shoulder pain
- Crackling sensation while moving your shoulder
- Discomfort that awakens you at night
- Arm weakness when lifting or gripping objects
Without proper treatment, rotator cuff issues are likely going to worsen. Before living another day with shoulder pain, schedule an evaluation at Texas Orthopaedic Associates, and start your treatment plan.
What is the treatment for rotator cuff injuries?
Most rotator cuff sufferers experience pain relief and improved shoulder function by starting a conservative therapy plan. Your rotator cuff treatment may include:
- Activity modification
- Physical therapy
- Daily strengthening exercises
- Corticosteroid injections
- Bracing your arm in a sling
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
If these types of treatments aren’t providing relief and restoring your shoulder function, or if you have a large tear, your dedicated surgeon at Texas Orthopaedic Associates, may recommend surgery. Rotator cuff surgery is generally performed arthroscopically. This minimally invasive shoulder procedure involves attaching your tendon and removing any damaged tissue, so you can return to full shoulder function.
Schedule your rotator cuff evaluation at Texas Orthopaedic Associates, today. Click on the online booking feature or call your closest clinic.