Just another iHealthSpot WP02 site

  • 1.701.946.7400

  • Leave a Review 
  • Patient Portal 
  • Online Bill Pay 
  • Request an Appointment 
The Bone & Joint Center
MENUMENU
  • About Us
    • Careers
  • Meet the Providers
    • Bone & Joint Physicians
      • Duncan B. Ackerman, MD
      • Timothy J. Bopp, MD
      • Chad B. Carlson, MD
      • Joseph W. Carlson, MD
      • Derrick O. Cote, MD
      • Brian P. Dahl, MD
      • Timothy J. Juelson, MD
      • Steven Kraljic, MD
      • Brock A. Norrie, MD
      • Troy D. Pierce, MD
    • Advanced Practice Providers
    • Therapists
  • Specialties
    • Foot & Ankle
    • General Orthopedics
    • Hand & Wrist
    • Hip & Knee
    • Joint Replacement
    • Neurosurgery
    • Osteoporosis
    • Pediatric Orthopedics
    • Shoulder & Elbow
    • Sports Injuries
    • Trauma & Fractures
  • Procedures & Services
    • Orthopedic Surgery
    • Shoulder Replacement
    • Hand Surgery
    • Rotator Cuff – Shoulder Scope
    • Hip Replacement
    • Knee Replacement
    • Joint Revision
    • Minimally Invasive Procedures
    • Ligament Reconstruction
    • Physical Therapy
    • Occupational Therapy
    • Hand Therapy
    • Prosthetics/Orthotics
  • Patient Resources
    • For New Patients
    • Therapy Protocols
    • Schedule an Appointment
    • Patient Portal
    • Medical Records Release
    • Patient Education
    • Important Phone Numbers
    • Other Resources
    • Good Faith Estimate Notice
    • Notice of Privacy Policy
  • Blog
  • Contact & Locations
    • Bismarck, ND
    • Dickinson, ND
    • Beulah, ND
    • Garrison, ND
    • Hazen, ND
    • Linton, ND
    • Hettinger, ND
    • Minot, ND
    • Turtle Lake, ND
    • Williston, ND
    • Wishek, ND
  • Ortho Update 2025
    • Achilles Tendon Repair Rehabilitation
    • Achilles Tendon Ruptures
    • ACL Tears: Repair or Reconstructions?
    • ACL Rehab R Malm
    • Articular Cartilage Management
    • Changes over 40 years
    • Conservative Management of Low Back Pain
    • Conservative Treatment for Patella-Femoral Pain
    • Functional Core Stability
    • Imaging of the Spine for Physical Therapists
    • Interventional Pain Medicine
    • Isokinetics: What Can We Learn From the Test?
    • Managing Scapular Dyskinesia
    • Patellofemoral Management
    • Plyometrics
    • Post-op Managment of Slap Repair
    • Rehab Post Rotator Cuff Surgery
    • Remplissage and Latarjet Rehabilitation
    • Return to Sport, What's New?
    • Robotic Shoulder Replacement
    • Rotator Cuff Disease
    • Shoulder Arthroplasty
    • Shoulder Instability with Bone Loss
    • Slap Tears
    • Spinal Stenosis
    • Total Joint Post op restrictions
    • Total Joint Replacements: Younger Patients
    • Total Knee Replacement Rehabilitation

What Is A Rotator Cuff Tear?

July 14, 2020

in Orthopedics, Shoulder
July 14, 2020
Tagged With: Orthopedic, Rotator Cuff Tear, Shoulder, Shoulder Pain, sports medicine, The Bone & Joint Center
 

A rotator cuff tear is a common injury that can cause pain, stiffness, and weakness in the shoulder, making normal day-to-day activities difficult. If you have a rotator cuff injury, early intervention is recommended, as delaying it would eventually lead to problems such as frozen shoulder or arthritis, which can be tougher to treat.

The Rotator Cuff

The shoulder is composed of three bones: the humerus (upper arm bone), the clavicle (collarbone), and the scapula (the shoulder blade that moves on our back). The humerus and the scapula form the main shoulder joint, known as the glenohumeral joint.

The rotator cuff is made up of four shoulder muscles and their tendons (the strong fibers that connect muscles to bones), forming a “cuff” over the head of the humerus and keeping it firmly in place within the shallow socket of the shoulder. The rotator cuff helps to control movement and perform overhead motions, such as lifting and rotating your arm while keeping the joint secure. The tendons and muscles in the rotator cuff can degenerate and weaken over time, making it susceptible to tear.

Trauma, such as a fall or even sudden shoulder movements, can lead to a rotator cuff tear, but it is more often caused by overuse and wear-and-tear. These types of injuries are more common in people who play high-intensity sports such as tennis and baseball, and those in jobs that involve repetitive arm movements such as painting or cleaning windows. As you get older, your body’s ability to repair tendons diminishes as the blood supply to them decreases, so your risk of rotator cuff damage increases.

Symptoms of a Rotator Cuff Tear

You cannot always feel a torn rotator cuff, and some tears are not painful at all. Symptoms of a rotator cuff tear tend to develop gradually and can include the following:

  • Pain in the front part of your shoulder that may radiate toward the side of your arm
  • Pain when moving your arm in a particular way, such as lifting or lowering it
  • Pain that gets worse over time and may be present when resting
  • Shoulder stiffness
  • Weakness in the shoulder and/or arm especially when your lift or rotate it.
  • Difficultly moving your arm or lifting things
  • A crackling, popping, or clicking noise when you move your arm

The symptoms of a rotator cuff tear caused by traumatic injury can occur suddenly. You may feel a snap and sudden pain; your arm will immediately feel weak, and you will have difficulty moving it.

Diagnosis and Treatment

To find out if you have a torn rotator cuff, your doctor will assess your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical examination. Medical images such as an X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound may also be required to assess the damage and the condition of the bones in your shoulder and to identify if arthritis or bone spurs are present.

Depending on the severity of the injury, your doctor will be able to advise on the best course of treatment. Usually rotator cuff tears can be treated effectively with non-surgical methods including the following:

  • Rest and limiting overhead arm movements
  • Applying ice regularly for short periods
  • OTC or prescription medication to reduce pain and swelling
  • Wearing a sling to help reduce symptoms
  • Corticosteroid injections to reduce pain and inflammation (if other medications fail to provide relief)
  • Occupational therapy to restore your ability to function and manage everyday tasks
  • Physical therapyto help restore strength and function, relieve pain following a rotator cuff tear, and aid in reducing the need for surgery and/or medication.

Surgery

Surgery may be recommended when non-surgical treatments have provided minimal or no relief to symptoms. It may also be recommended for painful or acute tears or for people who rely on their arm strength for work or sports. There are several types of surgeries that can be performed to resolve rotator cuff tears, depending on the size, shape, or location. Common surgical approaches include arthroscopic repair, open surgical repair, and mini-open repair.

Recovery time would depend on the extent of the injury and the type of surgery performed, but most people achieve remarkable results and regain functional movement and strength by four to six months following rotator cuff repair surgery.

Orthopedic Care in North Dakota

If you live in North Dakota and have an orthopedic concern such as a rotator cuff injury, contact the professionals at The Bone & Joint Center to receive state-of-the-art, compassionate orthopedic care. For more information or to make an appointment at one of our convenient locations, call us at (701) 946-7400 or (866) 900-8650.

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • ACL Surgery
  • Arthritis
  • Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
  • Bone fracture
  • Bursitis
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Collarbone
  • Diabetic Foot
  • Foot & Ankle
  • Frozen Shoulder
  • General
  • Hand
  • Hand Pain
  • Hip
  • Hip Arthritis
  • Hip Bursitis
  • Hip Replacement
  • Joint Pain
  • Knee
  • Knee Replacement
  • Knee Surgery
  • Orthopedic Surgeon
  • Orthopedics
  • Osteoporosis
  • Physical Therapy
  • Rotator Cuff
  • Shoulder
  • Sports Medicine
  • Tendonitis
  • Tennis Elbow
  • thumb
  • Wrist

Tags

ACL Tear arthritis arthroscopic knee surgery Arthroscopic Knee Surgery Bismark ND Arthroscopic Knee Surgery in North Dakota Arthroscopic Knee Surgery near me hand pain hand pain treatment in North Dakota hand pain treatment near me Hip Arthritis hip arthritis treatment in North Dakota hip arthritis treatment near me hip joint pain hip pain treatment near me hip pain treatment North Dakota Hip Replacement knee bursitis treatment near me knee injury Knee Pain treatment near me Knee Replacement Specialists in North Dakota Knee Replacement Surgery near me knee surgery in North Dakota knee surgery near me Orthopedic orthopedic clinic in North Dakota orthopedic clinic near me orthopedic doctor in North Dakota Orthopedic Doctor near me Orthopedic Surgeon Orthopedic Surgeon in North Dakota orthopedic surgeon near me Orthopedic Surgeons Bismarck ND physical therapy Rotator Cuff Tear Shoulder Shoulder Pain Shoulder Replacement Surgery North Dakota sports injuries sports medicine The Bone & Joint Center The Bone and Joint Center wrist pain Wrist Pain Treatment Bismarck ND wrist pain treatment in North Dakota Wrist Pain Treatment near me

Footer

Our Patient Reviews


Discover how the devoted care providers at The Bone & Joint Center have made a positive impact on our patients' lives. We value your feedback and your personal experiences are important to us. Share your own review with us today, and let us know how our team has served you. Your input helps us continuously improve and ensure we provide the best care possible.

Leave a Review
  read our Reviews

Blog


Stay updated with the latest advancements in orthopedics and receive updates regarding our practice and healthcare providers by exploring our blog.
READ MORE

Patient Stories


Discover the inspiring journeys of our patients who have experienced remarkable recoveries and life-changing transformations at The Bone & Joint Center. These real-life stories showcase the exceptional care provided by our dedicated team of orthopedic specialists.
READ MORE
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Meet the Providers
  • Specialties
  • Procedures & Services
  • Blog
  • Contact & Locations
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy Policy

Bismarck 310 N. 9th Street Bismarck, ND 58501
Phone: (701) 946-7400
Fax: (701) 751-4550

Copyright © · The Bone & Joint Center · All Rights Reserved

iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

At The Bone & Joint Center, our compassionate orthopedic specialists provide a wide range of services including orthopedic surgery, shoulder replacement, hand surgery, shoulder scope, hip replacement, knee replacement, joint revision, minimally invasive procedures, ligament reconstruction, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Careers
    • Back
  • Meet the Providers
    • Bone & Joint Physicians
      • Duncan B. Ackerman, MD
      • Timothy J. Bopp, MD
      • Chad B. Carlson, MD
      • Joseph W. Carlson, MD
      • Derrick O. Cote, MD
      • Brian P. Dahl, MD
      • Timothy J. Juelson, MD
      • Steven Kraljic, MD
      • Brock A. Norrie, MD
      • Troy D. Pierce, MD
      • Back
    • Advanced Practice Providers
    • Therapists
    • Back
  • Specialties
    • Foot & Ankle
    • General Orthopedics
    • Hand & Wrist
    • Hip & Knee
    • Joint Replacement
    • Neurosurgery
    • Osteoporosis
    • Pediatric Orthopedics
    • Shoulder & Elbow
    • Sports Injuries
    • Trauma & Fractures
    • Back
  • Procedures & Services
    • Orthopedic Surgery
    • Shoulder Replacement
    • Hand Surgery
    • Rotator Cuff – Shoulder Scope
    • Hip Replacement
    • Knee Replacement
    • Joint Revision
    • Minimally Invasive Procedures
    • Ligament Reconstruction
    • Physical Therapy
    • Occupational Therapy
    • Hand Therapy
    • Back
  • Patient Resources
    • For New Patients
    • Therapy Protocols
    • Schedule an Appointment
    • Patient Portal
    • Medical Records Release
    • Patient Education
    • Important Phone Numbers
    • Other Resources
    • Good Faith Estimate Notice
    • Notice of Privacy Policy
    • Back
  • Blog
  • Contact & Locations
    • Beulah, ND
    • Bismarck, ND
    • Dickinson, ND
    • Garrison, ND
    • Hazen, ND
    • Hettinger, ND
    • Linton, ND
    • Minot, ND
    • Turtle Lake, ND
    • Williston, ND
    • Wishek, ND
    • Back
  • Ortho Update 2025
    • Achilles Tendon Repair Rehabilitation
    • Achilles Tendon Ruptures
    • ACL Tears: Repair or Reconstructions?
    • ACL Rehab R Malm
    • Articular Cartilage Management
    • Changes over 40 years
    • Conservative Management of Low Back Pain
    • Conservative Treatment for Patella-Femoral Pain
    • Functional Core Stability
    • Imaging of the Spine for Physical Therapists
    • Interventional Pain Medicine
    • Isokinetics: What Can We Learn From the Test?
    • Managing Scapular Dyskinesia
    • Patellofemoral Management
    • Plyometrics
    • Post-op Managment of Slap Repair
    • Rehab Post Rotator Cuff Surgery
    • Remplissage and Latarjet Rehabilitation
    • Return to Sport, What’s New?
    • Robotic Shoulder Replacement
    • Rotator Cuff Disease
    • Shoulder Arthroplasty
    • Shoulder Instability with Bone Loss
    • Slap Tears
    • Spinal Stenosis
    • Total Joint Post op restrictions
    • Total Joint Replacements: Younger Patients
    • Total Knee Replacement Rehabilitation
    • Back
  • Patient Portal
  • Online Bill Pay