Rotator Cuff Disorders

• Bursitis / Tendonitis
• Impingement
• Partial / Full Thickness Rotator Cuff Tear

Rotator cuff disorders include a spectrum of shoulder problems including tendonitis / bursitis, impingement, and rotator cuff tearing. Patients' symptoms of these disorders are frequently similar. Patients often have pain which may be present in the neck, scapula, or upper arm. For most patients, symptoms do not radiate below the elbow. Patients often have difficulty sleeping on the affected side. Rotator cuff injury may present with weakness when raising the arm to the side or overhead. Symptoms may be acute or episodic and progressive. MRI study may be useful in differentiating bursitis and impingement from rotator cuff tearing. Initial treatment may include heat, anti-inflammatory medication, steroid injection, and physical therapy. Persistent symptoms or rotator cuff tearing may require arthroscopic surgery. Post-operative rehabilitation duration is dependent on the extent of rotator cuff injury.