3 Signs You May Have a Rotator Cuff Tear

Your shoulder is a pretty remarkable joint. It allows you to reach overhead, behind you, or in virtually any direction you want. That’s all made possible thanks to a complex network of muscles and tendons called your rotator cuff.  

This network isn’t impervious to injury, though. If you’ve been dealing with shoulder symptoms, you can come see Karl Siebuhr, MD, and our team at Reconstructive Orthopaedics of Central Florida in Ocala, Florida. Dr. Siebuhr specializes in diagnosing and treating rotator cuff tears. 

Here are a few signs you might need treatment for this kind of injury: 

#1: Loss of mobility

When your rotator cuff can’t work as it should, it impacts your ability to move the affected arm. You might notice that you can’t lift it quite as high as you used to or that you struggle to brush the hair on the back of your head, for example. 

You might also hear a crackling sensation when you move your shoulder. Doctors call this crepitus. It’s the result of increased friction because your shoulder isn’t working properly. 

#2: Shoulder pain (but often not what you’d expect)

If you tear your rotator cuff suddenly (an acute tear), the pain often feels sudden and sharp. This is more common in the case of falls or contact sports accidents. 

The majority of rotator cuff tears aren’t acute. Instead, the tear often develops slowly over time. For these degenerative tears, rotator cuff pain usually feels more like a dull ache. You might feel that sensation deep inside your shoulder. 

#3: Sleep problems

Because the pain from a rotator cuff tear can feel dull, it might be relatively easy to ignore during the daytime. The problem tends to get worse in bed, though, especially if you prefer to sleep on the affected side. 

You might have a problem with your rotator cuff if:

• You’ve had to change your sleep position
• You’re waking up with shoulder pain
• You’re not getting good-quality rest because of your discomfort

Don’t ignore pain just because it gets better as the day wears on.  

What to do if you think you have a rotator cuff tear

If some or all of this sounds familiar, come see Dr. Siebuhr.  He evaluates your shoulder mobility and asks about your symptoms. He might also order diagnostic imaging like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to check for torn tendons.

The level of treatment you need depends on the severity of your tear. The first line of treatments that Dr. Siebuhr recommends typically includes:

• Activity modification (resting the shoulder)
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Physical therapy 
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy

Studies show that PRP can help to speed healing and reduce pain in rotator cuff tears. 

If your shoulder doesn’t respond to conservative treatments, Dr. Siebuhr might recommend cortisone injections or surgery. He specializes in minimally invasive rotator cuff repair surgery. 

Plenty of options exist to support your shoulder after a rotator cuff tear. Come see us to find out if a tear is behind your shoulder issues and, if so, to get a personalized treatment plan. Call our Reconstructive Orthopaedics of Central Florida office or request an appointment online.