Rotator Cuff Tear: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options in Chandigarh

Rotator cuff tears are one of the most common shoulder conditions I encounter in patients from Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Mohali. They range from minor partial tears that heal with physiotherapy to large full-thickness ruptures that require surgical repair. Understanding the condition is the first step toward effective treatment.

What Is the Rotator Cuff?

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their tendons — the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis — that surround the shoulder joint. Together, they:

Keep the humeral head (the ball) centred in the shoulder socket
Enable lifting, rotating, and reaching movements of the arm
Provide stability during shoulder activity

Causes of Rotator Cuff Tears

Acute Tears:

Sudden injury: A fall on an outstretched arm, a shoulder dislocation, or a heavy lift with an awkward rotation can cause an acute tear.
Sports injuries: Overhead sports (cricket bowling, badminton, swimming) place repeated high loads on the rotator cuff.

Degenerative Tears:

Age-related wear: After 40, the blood supply to tendons decreases, making them more prone to tearing even with everyday movements.
Bone spurs: Bony outgrowths under the acromion can rub on and gradually wear through the tendon.
Repetitive overhead work: Painting, construction, and certain occupational activities over many years.

Symptoms of a Rotator Cuff Tear

Pain: A dull ache deep in the shoulder, often worse at night — particularly when lying on the affected side.
Weakness: Difficulty lifting the arm above shoulder height, or weakness when rotating the arm outward.
Reduced range of motion: Difficulty reaching behind the back or combing hair.
Clicking or crackling: A sensation of grating or crackling when moving the shoulder.
Acute tear signs: Sudden severe pain, immediate weakness, and inability to raise the arm after a specific injury.

Grades of Rotator Cuff Tears

Partial Tear: The tendon is frayed or damaged but not completely severed. Often managed conservatively.
Full-Thickness Small Tear (<1 cm): Complete rupture but small; many respond to physiotherapy. Surgery if symptoms persist.
Full-Thickness Medium–Large Tear (1–5 cm): Surgical repair recommended for active patients.
Massive Tear (>5 cm): Involves multiple tendons; complex surgical repair or reconstruction required.

Treatment Options

Conservative Treatment

Rest and activity modification
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs)
Corticosteroid injection for significant pain and inflammation
Physiotherapy — strengthening the intact rotator cuff muscles to compensate and restore function

Conservative treatment is suitable for partial tears, small full- thickness tears, elderly patients with low functional demands, and as an initial treatment before considering surgery.

Surgical Treatment — Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

Surgery is recommended when conservative treatment fails after 3–6 months, for large or complete tears in active patients, and for acute tears causing significant weakness. The repair is performed arthroscopically (keyhole surgery), using suture anchors to re-attach the tendon to the bone. This minimally invasive approach means less pain, faster recovery, and excellent long-term outcomes.

If you have persistent shoulder pain that is affecting your sleep or daily life, don't delay your assessment. Dr. Mohak Kataria offers expert shoulder evaluation and treatment in Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Mohali.