ROTATOR CUFF TEARS

Rotator Cuff Tear
Symptoms

Not every shoulder pain is a rotator cuff tear, and not every rotator cuff tear causes severe pain. Understanding the pattern of your symptoms often provides more useful information than the MRI alone.

Request Consultation Rotator Cuff Tears

Pain

Usually The First Symptom

Weakness

Especially Overhead

Night Pain

Very Common

Function

Progressively Limited

Common Symptoms Of A Rotator Cuff Tear

Rotator cuff tears develop in many different ways. Some occur suddenly after an injury, while others gradually develop over many years. Symptoms can range from mild soreness to profound weakness.

Night Pain

One of the most common complaints. Many patients cannot comfortably sleep on the affected shoulder and frequently wake during the night because of pain.

Pain Over The Side Of The Shoulder

Pain is commonly felt along the outside of the upper arm rather than directly on top of the shoulder.

Difficulty Reaching Overhead

Simple activities such as placing dishes into cabinets, washing your hair, or reaching into the back seat become painful.

Weakness

Patients often notice weakness lifting objects away from the body or overhead.

Pain With Sports

Golf, tennis, swimming, pickleball, baseball, weightlifting, and throwing activities commonly become painful.

Fatigue

The shoulder often tires much more quickly than expected during repetitive activities.

Can You Have A Tear Without Pain?

Yes.

Many people have rotator cuff tears that cause little or no discomfort. Some tears are discovered only because an MRI was obtained for another reason.

Dr. Streit's Clinical Perspective

I treat patients—not MRI reports. Some patients have surprisingly large tears with very little pain, while others have relatively small tears that significantly interfere with sleep, work, or athletics. The decision to recommend treatment depends on the entire clinical picture.

Symptoms That Suggest A More Significant Tear

Sudden Weakness

A sudden loss of strength after lifting something heavy or falling may represent an acute full-thickness tear.

Unable To Raise The Arm

Difficulty actively lifting the arm may indicate a larger tear requiring prompt evaluation.

Loss Of Function

Inability to perform work, sports, or everyday activities despite appropriate treatment deserves further evaluation.

Symptoms That Can Mimic A Rotator Cuff Tear

Not every painful shoulder has a torn rotator cuff. Several other conditions can produce similar symptoms.

Shoulder Arthritis

Frozen Shoulder

Biceps Tendon Problems

Shoulder Impingement

Calcific Tendinitis

Neck Problems

When Should You See A Shoulder Specialist?

Schedule An Evaluation If You Have:

Night pain that persists
Weakness lifting your arm
Pain lasting more than several weeks
Difficulty returning to sports
Pain after a fall or injury
Progressively worsening shoulder function

Emergency Evaluation Is Appropriate If:

You suddenly cannot lift your arm after an injury
Your shoulder dislocates
You have severe deformity after trauma
You develop fever, redness, or drainage after surgery

How Is A Rotator Cuff Tear Diagnosed?

Diagnosis begins with a careful history and physical examination. Imaging studies such as X-rays and MRI help confirm the diagnosis, but they are interpreted together with your symptoms and examination findings.

What I Tell My Patients

"Your symptoms tell me what your shoulder is doing. Your examination tells me why. The MRI helps confirm the diagnosis. I put all three together before recommending treatment."