Understanding Rotator Cuff Tears: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

🕒 Read Time: 6–7 minutes

(Or: Why Your Shoulder’s Been Acting Like a Drama Queen)

If you’ve been struggling with a shoulder that clicks, aches, refuses to lift properly, or suddenly acts like it’s 100 years old—there’s a good chance your rotator cuff is trying to tell you something.

Rotator cuff injuries are one of the most common reasons people seek help for shoulder pain. And while the name might sound a little technical (or like a part in a car engine), understanding what’s going on is easier than you’d think.

Let’s dive into what a rotator cuff tear actually is, how to spot the symptoms, how it’s diagnosed (hint: ultrasound is your friend), and what you can do to feel better—fast.

First Up: What Is the Rotator Cuff?

Think of your shoulder joint like a golf ball sitting on a tee. It’s designed for movement, not stability. Enter: the rotator cuff—a group of four small but mighty muscles and their tendons that surround the shoulder joint and keep everything nicely in place.

These muscles help you lift, rotate, and reach with your arm. Whether you're hanging laundry, brushing your hair, or crushing a game of tennis—they’re working behind the scenes.

But like any overworked team, the rotator cuff can start to struggle. And when it does? Pain, weakness, and limited movement start crashing the party.

What Exactly Is a Rotator Cuff Tear?

A rotator cuff tear is when one or more of those tendons partially or fully detaches from the bone. This can happen suddenly (say, lifting something too heavy or falling on your shoulder), or gradually over time through wear and tear—especially if you’ve been doing a lot of overhead work or repetitive arm movements.

There are two main types:
• Partial tear – the tendon is damaged but not completely severed
• Full-thickness tear – the tendon is completely torn or detached

The good news? Not all tears are catastrophic. Some are small and manageable with the right care. The key is knowing what you're dealing with.

Common Symptoms of a Rotator Cuff Tear

Rotator cuff injuries don’t always shout—they often whisper. Here’s what to watch out for:
• Pain in the shoulder, especially when lifting your arm or reaching overhead
• Weakness, especially when trying to raise or rotate your arm
• Difficulty sleeping on the affected side
• Clicking or popping sounds when moving your shoulder
• Limited range of motion (that jacket just won’t go on the same way anymore)

Sometimes, people say it feels like their arm just “won’t do what they want it to do.” Sound familiar?

What Causes a Rotator Cuff Tear?

Here are the usual suspects:

🎾 Overuse
Repetitive overhead movements (like painting, lifting, or sports like tennis and swimming) can wear down the tendon over time.

⏳ Age
Let’s be real—after 40, tendons start to lose some of their bounce. Degenerative tears are common, especially in people who’ve worked physical jobs or played a lot of sport.

🪂 Trauma
A fall, heavy lift, or sudden jerky movement can cause an acute tear—even in younger, otherwise healthy shoulders.

How Is It Diagnosed?

Now for the detective work.A clinician will usually start with a physical exam, testing your range of motion, strength, and pain patterns. But to confirm the diagnosis and see the exact size and location of the tear, imaging is key.

🔊 Enter: Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
‍
Ultrasound is often the first choice for diagnosing rotator cuff tears because:
• It’s fast, non-invasive, and radiation-free
• It provides real-time images of the tendons and how they move
• You can be scanned while moving your arm, which helps spot issues in action
• It’s cost-effective and available right in many physio clinics

‍🎯 Bonus: You usually get the results immediately, and your treatment can start the same day.

In some complex cases, an MRI might be needed to get a full picture—especially if surgery is being considered. But for most people, ultrasound is more than enough to guide treatment.

Treatment Options: What Can You Do?

Here’s the good news: not every rotator cuff tear needs surgery. In fact, many people recover fully with the right non-surgical care. It all depends on the size of the tear, your age, activity level, and how much it's affecting your life.

Here are your main options:

💪 Physiotherapy

IThe cornerstone of rotator cuff rehab. A good physio will create a tailored program to:
• Strengthen supporting muscles
• Improve shoulder control and stability
• Reduce pain and inflammation
• Restore full range of motion

🎯 Don’t skip the basics. Many tears improve dramatically with physio alone.

🛠️ Surgery

In cases where the tear is large, long-standing, or not responding to conservative treatment, surgery might be an option. This could involve:
• Reattaching the torn tendon
• Cleaning up degenerated tissue
• Addressing other issues like bone spurs

Surgery is usually followed by a period of rest and then—surprise!—more physiotherapy.

Can It Heal on Its Own?

UltrasounSome small, partial tears can heal with rest, rehab, and time. Others may not fully “heal,” but the pain and function can still improve dramatically with the right approach.

🎯 The key is getting a proper diagnosis early—so you can treat it properly and avoid making it worse.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Shoulder It Alone

If your shoulder’s been nagging, aching, or flat-out refusing to cooperate, don’t ignore it. The sooner you find out what’s going on, the sooner you can take action—and the better your chances of a full recovery.

A quick, simple ultrasound scan can give you the clarity and confidence to move forward—whether that’s with rehab, an injection, or just a solid plan.

‍Think you might have a rotator cuff tear?
We can help. Book a scan, get clear answers, and let’s get your shoulder back in action—no guesswork required.