Rotator Cuff Tears

What are rotator cuff tears?

A rotator cuff tear occurs when you rip or tear the muscles and tendons in your shoulder (called the rotator cuff). There are two types of rotator cuff tears:

• Partial rotator cuff tear – occurs when the tendon is damaged, but not torn all the way through (partial thickness)
• Complete tear – occurs when the tear goes all the way through the tendon or pulls the tendon off the bone (full thickness).

A rotator cuff tear is a common shoulder issue that can occur from injury, ageing, or wear and tear over time.

What are the symptoms of rotator cuff tears?

The most common symptoms of a rotator cuff tear include:

• Pain or weakness in your shoulder, especially when you try to move it
• Being unable to raise your arm or lift objects
• Noticing a clicking or popping sound when you move your shoulder.

A rotator cuff tear can get worse over time, or lead to other types of shoulder injuries, so it’s important to get proper treatment if you have any symptoms. Dr Chia can diagnose your injury and treat your torn rotator cuff before it becomes worse or interferes with your usual activities.

What causes rotator cuff tears?

Rotator cuff tears are common shoulder injuries that can occur from:

• Sporting injuries – certain sports like tennis and baseball place pressure on the rotator cuff due to the action and movement involved
• Certain jobs – occupations that require repetitive overhead movements, like tradesman and painters
• Traumatic accidents – for example, if you fall on your shoulder
• Ageing – as you age, you are more likely to experience tears due to wear and tear, and lack of blood supply.

How do I know if I have a rotator cuff tear?

If you have shoulder pain or symptoms, Dr Chia will perform a complete physical examination and take your medical history. He will check your strength and shoulder movements to determine if your injury could be a rotator cuff tear or other type of shoulder injury.

To take more detailed images of your shoulder injury and diagnose your tear, you may also need an X-Ray or MRI scan.

What are the treatment options for rotator cuff tears?

There are different treatment options available for rotator cuff tears, including non-surgical options and surgery.

Your treatment will be personalised, depending on the severity of your tear and other health factors.

Non-surgical treatment
Many people with rotator cuff tears can manage their symptoms without surgery, with the following steps:

• Physiotherapy exercises that improve flexibility and strength
• Avoiding certain activities until the symptoms improve
• Self-monitoring to ensure the tear doesn’t get worse.

Dr Chia can create a personalised treatment plan to help you manage your symptoms safely without surgery.

Surgery
If you have a full thickness tear that occurred because of a traumatic injury, or are experiencing a loss of shoulder function, you may benefit from shoulder surgery.

The surgery will most likely be performed via keyhole (arthroscopic) surgery. During arthroscopy, Dr Chia inserts a small camera, called an arthroscope, into your shoulder joint through a small incision (portal).

The camera transmits images onto a video monitor.

Dr Chia will insert surgical instruments are through additional portals and perform the repair by stitching the tendon back to the bone with sutures and bone anchors.

If you need any additional treatments, such as removing bone spurs from the underside of the acromion (acromioplasty), Dr Chia can also perform these.

After your surgery, you will need to follow a dedicated rehabilitation program under the supervision of a physiotherapist to heal and recover well.