Rotator cuff tear
- = tear in the tendon of one or more muscles of the rotator cuff
- Most commonly affects supraspinatus tendon
- Rotator cuff
- = supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis
- These muscles attach to the greater tubercle of the humerus
- Function is to stabilize the shoulder and allow for normal shoulder motion
- Clinical features
- Painful/weak/impossible elevation of shoulder
- Imaging
- US or MRI
- Differential diagnosis
- OA
- Frozen shoulder
- Cervical problems
- Treatment
- Surgical reinsertion of tendon with arthroscopy (not open surgery)