Rotator cuff tear

Rotator cuff tendinopathy (or rotator cuff tear) is an injury or rupture of the rotator cuff tendons, usually involving more than one shoulder muscle. Rotator cuff tendinopathy is common during aging. Rotator cuff tendinopathy is, by far, the most common reason people seek care for shoulder pain. Pain related to rotator cuff tendinopathy is typically on the front side of the shoulder, down to the elbow, and worse reaching up or back. Diagnosis is based on symptoms and examination. Medical imaging is used mostly to plan surgery and is not needed for diagnosis. Treatment may include pain medication, such as NSAIDs and specific exercises. It is recommended that people who are unable to raise their arm above 90 degrees after two weeks should be further assessed. Surgery may be offered for acute ruptures and large attritional defects with good quality muscle. The benefits of surgery for smaller defects are unclear as of 2019. A 2025 study concluded that arthroscopic subacromial decompression offered no benefit after ten years of follow-up over placebo surgery (diagnostic arthroscopy) or exercise in people with symptoms consistent with subacromial pain syndrome for more than three months.