The rotator cuff of the shoulder consists of four tendons, which are the supraspinatus, subspinatus, teres chelaesus, and subscapularis. Its main function is to elevate the limb, internal-external rotation of the arm, as well as increasing the stability of the shoulder girdle.
Symptoms of a rupture usually include:
- Pain in the shoulder area that can radiate up to the elbow.
- Frequent worsening of symptoms during sleep.
- Inability to lift and internal-external rotation of the upper extremity.
The diagnosis is made through the clinical examination, and the various tests to which the patient is submitted, in order to evaluate the integrity of the tendons that make up the rotator cuff. In addition, ultrasound and MRI can be done to verify the findings of the clinical evaluation and better plan the treatment.
Treatment can be either conservative or surgical, depending on the extent of the rupture. In minor tears, a rehabilitation program is followed that includes strengthening exercises of the rotator cuff and the stabilizing muscles of the scapula. In larger shoulder tears, the restoration is at first surgical, where the ruptured tendons are sutured in their anatomical position. The operation is performed by arthroscopy and using anchors with sutures.
