R.C is a congregation of 4 muscles that form a tough cover all around the shoulder.

It can get torn by sudden sever trauma or fall on the shoulder or sudden forceful pull on shoulder or with fraying due to degenerative changes over the period of time. You may be having problem lifting or may not be able to lift the arm up.

After evaluation of the your problem the Sports Medicine specialist will make a care plan that may include non surgical or surgical treatment options.

Inability to lift the arm up after injury is the most definite sign of RC tear but pain at rest and at night, particularly if lying on the effected shoulder and has not improved after 6 to 12 months of treatment.

Pain and Weakness when lifting or rotating the arm.

Crepitus or cracking sensation when moving your shoulder in certain positions can all be signs of RC tear.

Rotator cuff tendons are repaired to the bone with generally 2-3 small screws called suture anchors.

The bone is first prepared and the anchors are seated and by the threads that are coming out of these anchors the cuff is attached to bone and the tendon slowly heals on to this raw prepared bone.

The shoulder will be immobilized in a sling or immobilizer before you go home. At home, its important to keep the surgical site area clean & dry.

The dressing/surgical stitches will be removed after 2 weeks during a follow up visit.

ROM exercises of elbow & wrist are to be carried out as advised by physiotherapist to prevent stiffness.

You Should expect to be in sling for about 6 weeks. Active assisted ROM exercises are started at 6 weeks followed by Stretching of shoulder muscles using a low resistance treatment. Full movement is expected at 3 months. Total rehab last for 6 months which is when a player can take up any sport activity.

• Tears are found in 30% – 50% of the population that is older than 50.
• R.C. tears are among the most common shoulder disorder that require surgical management.
• Once the R.C. tendon tears of the human bone, it starts to lose its nutrition. This causes it to begin to Shrink. Timely surgery can greatly improve rates of surgical repair.
• The supraspinatus is the most common muscles to tear out of the four muscles that make up the tendon in the R.C.
• R.C. surgery will restore the entire range of motion to the shoulder. It will also reduce pain and significantly improve function when successful.