4 Signs Your Shoulder Pain Could Be a Rotator Cuff Tear

If your shoulder has been bothering you, and you feel a deep ache in the joint and arm, it may be time to see a specialist. You could have a rotator cuff tear.

The rotator cuff is composed of muscles and tendons in your shoulder. When you have a tear, the tendons in your shoulder have pulled away from the bone. 

At Peninsula Orthopedic Associates, our board-certified orthopedic surgeons treat all kinds of shoulder injuries, including rotator cuff tears. In addition to rotator cuff tears, shoulder pain can stem from tendinitis, bursitis, arthritis, dislocation, and other types of injuries. 

Here are four telltale signs that your shoulder pain may be a rotator cuff injury.  

Deep ache in the shoulder  

Your pain has developed gradually, and you have an ache in your shoulder that isn’t going away. You’ve tried icing and resting your shoulder, but it isn’t getting any better. 

The pain may radiate down into your arm. If you’ve injured your shoulder from a traumatic incident such as a fall or a sports collision, you may experience a sharp, stabbing pain. 

Weakness and limited range of motion 

Your normal range of motion is affected. You aren’t able to easily reach for a glass in an upper kitchen cabinet. You notice you don’t have shoulder strength when trying to lift groceries or accomplish chores around the house. You’re not able to rotate your arm because of the pain. 

Difficulty sleeping 

It’s becoming increasingly difficult to get a good night’s sleep. You aren’t able to sleep on the side with the ache. The pain may become worse at night. 

Popping sounds when moving the shoulder 

Does your shoulder sound like the snap, crackle, pop of a breakfast cereal when you move it? Those are common symptoms of a rotator cuff tear. 

Treatment for a rotator cuff tear 

Treatment depends on the severity of your rotator cuff tear. If you have a complete tear, it won’t heal on its own, and we may likely recommend arthroscopic, minimally invasive surgery. 

If you have a partial tear, there’s a good chance that conservative treatment will work. Your arm will be in a sling for a few weeks. We can administer a steroid injection and prescribe pain relievers to calm your discomfort. 

Physical therapy helps you regain strength and range of motion in the arm. 

Don’t suffer from shoulder pain. Call one of our Peninsula Orthopedic Associates offices or request an appointment through our online portal today. We’re located in Menlo Park, Daly City, and Los Gatos, California.