Our shoulders are uniquely designed to perform a wide range of motions. But several shoulder movements may increase the risk of torn shoulder muscle, a type of injury also known as rotator cuff tear. The rotator cuff are collective muscles and tendons that help stabilize the joint and allow for movements such as rotating the arm or lifting weight.

In this post, we take a closer look at what rotator cuff tear is and the signs that you may experience when you have torn your shoulder muscles.

 

Understanding Rotator Cuff Tear

Rotator cuff tear occurs when any of the four muscles or tendons pull away from the arm bone, which causes a wide range of symptoms. A rotator cuff tear may be caused by a sudden injury such as a fall or may result from overuse.

 

Types of Rotator Cuff Tear 

There are two types of rotator cuff tear; a partial tear and a complete tear.

A partial rotator cuff tear happens when one of the rotator cuff muscles gets damaged or is frayed.

On the other hand, a complete tear is when the tendon is ripped into two or is detached from the bone.

Several causes can lead to partial or complete rotator cuff tear, ranging from sports-related injuries to repetitive motions. Sudden injuries such as lifting heavy objects or falling may also lead to rotator cuff tears.

 

Top Signs of Rotator Cuff Tear

Some of the most common signs of rotator cuff tear include

 

Pain

Complete shoulder muscle tear that happens suddenly, such as a fall, leads to intense pain that often needs immediate medical attention.

However, rotator cuff tear that develops slowly due to overuse of the muscle leads to pain in arms and shoulders that a person may experience when lifting or lowering the arm or moving the shoulder in specific movements. Moreover, it is also common to experience pain while the shoulder and arm are at rest. The intensity of pain may increase at night, mainly when lying on the affected shoulder.

 

Weakness in the Arm

Another common sign of rotator cuff tear is weakness in the arm when lifting any object or when rotating your arm.

 

Crackling Sensation When Moving Your Shoulder

One of the top signs of a torn shoulder muscle is the crackling sensation you will likely experience when moving your shoulder in certain positions.

It�s interesting to note that some rotator cuff tears are not painful. However, they may still result in arm weakness and other symptoms. Moreover, the severity of the symptoms depends on the type of rotator cuff tear. The intensity of pain and other symptoms may be more severe in a complete tear than a partial tear.

If you experience shoulder muscle tear or any other condition affecting your shoulder, visit Longbeach Osteopathy and our expert team rely on using the most innovative techniques and evidence-based treatments for a wide range of shoulder issues.