Rotator Cuff Tear

• The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles around the shoulder joint and the four tendons that connect them to the bone. When one of the muscles or tendons is damaged or torn, you may experience symptoms like shoulder weakness, severe shoulder pain and limited range of motion, among other symptoms. Some studies have found that a significant number of people without shoulder pain may have a rotator cuff tear--without manifesting any obvious symptoms.
  
  

Risk Factors

• Risk increases with age; the highest rate of injury occurs in those over 60 years old. Athletes and construction workers are also at elevated risk. Adopting good posture and refusing to slouch will help reduce your chances of developing this injury.
  
  

Wear and Tear

• The most common cause of rotator cuff tears is simple degeneration over time. As you age, the blood supply to your rotator cuff may diminish, and normal wear and tear can break down the collagen in your tendons. Calcium deposits or bone spurs around the cuff can exacerbate these problems, as can poor posture and prolonged slouching. Repetitive stress caused by frequent overhead arm motion can also accelerate this wear-and-tear process, especially in athletes and construction workers.
  
  

Trauma

• More rarely, rotator cuff tears can result from an injury or a single event. Lifting or pulling objects heavier than you can carry and doing so in an unsafe fashion can cause injuries, as can breaking a fall using your arm; depending on the nature of the injury, a rotator cuff tear can sometimes result.
  
  

Treatment

• Treatment is often simple and noninvasive. Rest, basic stretches, exercise and/or physical therapy are often sufficient to correct the problem. Doctors may prescribe pain relievers to help you deal with your symptoms. If the condition deteriorates, doctors may prescribe steroid injections to help reduce pain or may recommend surgery; minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures have become an increasingly popular approach in these cases in recent years. The information above isn't intended as medical advice, however, and as always, if you have questions about your symptoms or which treatment is right for you, it's best to consult with your doctor.