Rotator cuff tears
Pain and weakness when lifting or reaching are the classic signs of a rotator cuff problem. The good news: many improve without surgery, and repairs are highly successful.
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their tendons that wrap around the top of your arm bone and keep your shoulder moving smoothly. A tear in one of these tendons is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain, especially over the age of 40.
What are the symptoms?
- Pain on the outer shoulder, often running down the upper arm
- Weakness when lifting your arm, reaching up or out to the side
- Pain at night, particularly when lying on that shoulder
- A sense that the arm "gives way" or won't do what it used to
What causes a rotator cuff tear?
Most tears develop gradually as the tendon wears with age — a bit like a fraying rope. Others happen suddenly after a fall or lifting something heavy. Some tears cause few symptoms; others are painful and weaken the arm.
How is it diagnosed?
Mr Corner will listen to your history and examine your shoulder to test the cuff muscles. An ultrasound or MRI scan — arranged quickly — confirms the diagnosis and shows the size of any tear.
Treatment options
Without surgery
Many tears settle with the right approach: a tailored physiotherapy programme to strengthen the surrounding muscles, painkillers or anti-inflammatories, and sometimes a steroid injection to calm the pain so you can rehabilitate.
Keyhole (arthroscopic) repair
If the tear is large, or pain and weakness persist, Mr Corner can repair the tendon using keyhole surgery — small incisions, tiny instruments, and anchors that reattach the tendon to the bone. Most patients go home the same day.
What to expect during recovery
After a repair you'll usually wear a sling for a few weeks to protect the tendon, followed by a staged physiotherapy programme. See our rehabilitation protocols for the detailed post-operative guide. Comfort improves over the first weeks, with strength building over several months.
Frequently asked questions
Will a rotator cuff tear heal on its own?
A torn tendon does not usually knit back together by itself, but many tears become far less painful with physiotherapy and injections, and never need surgery. Mr Corner will advise whether your tear is best managed with or without an operation.
Do I definitely need an operation?
No. Smaller tears and those in less active shoulders are often managed successfully without surgery. Repair is recommended when the tear is large, causing significant weakness, or not improving with other treatment.
How long is recovery after keyhole repair?
You'll typically be in a sling for a few weeks, back to light daily activities within a couple of months, and building full strength over three to six months.
Take the first step towards a pain-free shoulder or elbow
Book online, call 07590 880438, or send an enquiry. Mr Corner sees patients at Spire Harpenden and One Stop Healthcare, Hemel Hempstead.