How do I know if i have a rotator cuff tear?
This post is a continuation of our talk on rotator cuff tears. Today, we will be discussing the symptoms and diagnosis of rotator cuff tears. Previous posts included:
The most common symptoms of rotator cuff tears are:
pain at night, especially if lying on the affected shoulder
pain when lifting or lowering your arm or with specific movements
weakness when lifting or rotate your arm
cracking or popping sensation when moving her shoulder in certain positions, especially overhead
Tears that happen suddenly, such as from a fall or when lifting something heavy usually cause intense pain. You may also notice that you are unable to lift your arm after this injury.
Tears that develop slowly due to overuse, usually begin by some vague pain in her shoulder that progresses to worsening pain and then significant pain and weakness.
Some rotator cuff tears, especially those that occur slowly over time, are sometimes not painful. These tears, however, may still result in some weakness and other symptoms.
Rotator cuff tears can be diagnosed with history and physical examination on most occasions. Sometimes, advanced imaging such as MRI or ultrasound can be used to confirm a diagnosis of a rotator cuff tear.
Stay tuned for the next post on rotator cuff treatment.