There are four muscles and a few tendons that form a capsule around the upper part of the arm bone. These muscles and tendons hold the arm into the shoulder socket and facilitate the rotation of the arm.
Rotator cuff tears are the most common injuries in adults. This is especially true of senior citizens. The supraspinatus muscle, which is located in the front of the arm, is the one most often torn.
Since rotator cuff tears can affect a person’s daily life, it is important to understand the purpose the rotator cuff serves, what its makeup is and how it works.
The supraspinatus, the infraspinatus, the subscapularis and the teres minor make up the four muscles in the rotator cuff. They each are attached to the arm bone by a tendon. These muscles and tendons form a covering for the top of the arm bone. This is referred to as the capsule or cuff.
The rotator cuff provides forward and backward motion. It also allows for circular rotation and lateral movement.
Age is often responsible for rotator cuff tears. This is due to deterioration of the muscles and tendons and their overuse. Rotator cuff tears also happen as a result of injury. In older people with diabetes, frozen shoulder can present itself as a rotator cuff tear.
Rotator cuff tears in older people is usually due to deterioration in the muscles and tendons. Injury or repetitive overhead work are the most common causes in younger people. Athletes seem to be especially at risk for torn rotator cuff.
The first step in treatment of rotator cuff tears is physical therapy. If this does not work, then surgery is indicated, followed by physical therapy.
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