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Rotator Cuff Tear services offered in Fort Worth, Southlake and Weatherford, TX
Shoulder injuries involving the rotator cuff are incredibly common and make simple tasks like lifting your arm, reaching overhead, and sleeping on your side difficult, painful, and sometimes impossible. The board-certified orthopedic surgeons at Texas Health Care Fort Worth’s Bone & Joint Clinic in Fort Worth, Southlake, and Weatherford, Texas, offer expert evaluations and treatments for rotator cuff tears. They determine the cause of your shoulder pain and develop a customized treatment plan. Call the office or schedule online to get started today.
Rotator Cuff Tear Q&A
What is the rotator cuff?
The rotator cuff is made up of four muscles and their tendons surrounding the shoulder joint that help keep it stable. These muscles work together to allow you to lift your arm, rotate your shoulder, and move comfortably in many directions.
Whether you’re reaching overhead, getting dressed, or carrying groceries, your rotator cuff is working to keep your shoulder functioning smoothly.
What are the symptoms of rotator cuff tears?
When you have a torn rotator cuff, everyday movements feel uncomfortable or even painful. Symptoms can show up gradually or suddenly and often include:
- A deep, aching pain in the shoulder
- Pain that gets worse at night or when you lie on the affected side
- Weakness when lifting or rotating your arm
- Limited range of motion or stiffness
- Clicking or popping sensations during shoulder movement
You may find that simple tasks like reaching into a cabinet or fastening a seatbelt gradually become more difficult.
How do rotator cuff tears occur?
Rotator cuff tears can occur suddenly or develop slowly over months or years. A sudden tear may occur during a fall, lifting something heavy, or a quick, forceful movement. More commonly, tears result from long-term wear-and-tear.
Repetitive overhead motions, poor posture, and the natural aging process can weaken the tendons, making them more prone to injury. Specific jobs, sports, or hobbies that involve frequent shoulder use can also increase your risk.
How are rotator cuff tears treated?
How a rotator cuff tear is treated will depend on the size of the tear, your pain level, and how much the injury affects your daily life. Many people improve with conservative care, including rest, changes in activity, taking anti-inflammatory medication, and undergoing physical therapy to strengthen and stabilize the shoulder.
If pain or weakness persists, the Texas Health Care Fort Worth’s Bone & Joint Clinic team will likely recommend surgery to repair the torn tendon. The goals are reducing pain, restoring movement, and helping you regain confidence in your shoulder.
Do you have shoulder pain? Turn to the experts at Texas Health Care Fort Worth’s Bone & Joint Clinic today. Call to make an appointment or book your visit online.