Shoulder SOS: Dealing with a Rotator Cuff Tear and Recovery

The amazing complexity and utility of the shoulder joint makes it susceptible to injuries including the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons which stabilise the shoulder and allow it to perform all the usual functions.

The rotator cuff is made up of 4 muscles with long names: the infraspinatus, supraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis. Tears to the rotator cuff are common and can occur in young patients but also in elderly patients with degenerative disease.

RISKS FOR ROTATOR CUFF TEARS

Rotator cuff tears can occur in young people following falls, lifting heavy objects or repetitive overhead motions. There are some elements, however, that increase your risk of rotator cuff tears, for example:

• • • • Age – increasing age can make degenerative tears more likely.
      • Smoking – can reduce blood flow to tissues and impair healing making tears more likely.
      • High cholesterol – cholesterol deposits may influence the health of tendons increasing the chance of tears.

If you have a rotator cuff tear, stopping smoking and having a healthy diet can help your shoulder heal as quickly as possible.