
4 Common Signs of a Rotator Cuff Tear

Your shoulder is a complicated network of parts that need to work together. This is what allows you to move your arm all around, even reaching behind you. The ball-and-socket joint of your shoulder plays a significant role in that range of motion. That joint relies on cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and muscles to maintain its stability.
A key part of that stabilization is your rotator cuff, a group of muscles and tendons that cover the head of your upper arm bone. The tendons in your rotator cuff can tear, leading to a range of symptoms.
Fortunately, if you encounter this issue, Angel J. Garcia, MD, and our team at the El Paso Center for Family & Sports Medicine can assist you. With expertise in sports medicine, we work with you to manage the tear, exploring options for recovery.
Four rotator cuff tear symptoms
If your rotator cuff tear causes symptoms, they’ll probably fall into one of these categories:
Pain when you move your arm
When you move your arm, your rotator cuff has to work to keep it stabilized. It’s probably not surprising, then, that some people with rotator cuff tears have pain when they move their shoulder.
Pain when you’re at rest
You don’t necessarily need to move the shoulder to experience pain. Some people describe a persistent dull ache deep in their shoulder. Others notice their pain most at night, particularly if they sleep on the affected side.
Clicking and popping
You might feel a crackling sensation in your shoulder or notice popping or clicking as it moves. Medical experts call that crackling feeling crepitus.
Weakness
When your rotator cuff is compromised, it becomes more challenging to move your arm. You might notice that you feel weak when trying to reach for things overhead.
It’s possible to have no symptoms
While the above are all telltale signs of a rotator cuff tear, it’s also possible to experience this issue without any noticeable symptoms. It’s somewhat familiar for people to not realize they’ve torn their rotator cuff.
What to do if you think you have a rotator cuff tear
First, try to minimize the use of your shoulder as much as possible. Continuing to move risks worsening the tear.
Then, see Dr. Garcia. With imaging tests like X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), he can determine if you have a rotator cuff tear.
If you do, he tailors a treatment plan to your specific shoulder. Sometimes, resting the shoulder is enough. Physical therapy can help, too.
If your pain is severe, Dr. Garcia can explore treatment options with you, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or cortisone shots.
Most people recover from a rotator cuff tear without the need for surgery. In some cases, you might need a procedure to fix the tear and support pain-free function in your shoulder.
Discovering what your shoulder needs begins with consulting Dr. Garcia. If you have a rotator cuff tear, call our office or book an appointment online today.
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