Condition
Rotator Cuff Injury
Shoulder pain and weakness from irritation or tearing of the rotator cuff tendons. Common in overhead athletes and after falls.
Symptoms
- Pain on the side or front of the shoulder
- Weakness lifting the arm, especially overhead
- Pain at night, particularly lying on the affected side
- Painful arc when raising the arm from the side
Causes
The rotator cuff is a group of four small muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder. Injuries range from inflammation (tendinopathy) to partial and full-thickness tears. Common drivers:
- Repeated overhead activity (painting, throwing, swimming)
- Sudden load: a fall on the arm or catching something heavy
- Age-related tendon degeneration
How we treat it
Most rotator cuff injuries respond to a structured rehab program: manual therapy to restore range, progressive loading exercises for the cuff and scapular stabilizers, and education on activities to modify temporarily. Full-thickness tears in active patients may need surgical opinion; many partial tears improve with rehab alone.