Can the rotator cuff be torn?
A. Rotator cuff tendons have a very low blood supply, which leaves them vulnerable to degeneration as one ages. Rotator cuff damage increases naturally with age, typically in the dominant arm. Repeating the same type of shoulder actions can accelerate shoulder degeneration, whether it be swimming laps, washing windows, or carrying a heavy briefcase. The interesting thing about rotator cuff tears is that while rotator cuff tears are a common shoulder pain source, as many as 5-40% of people without shoulder pain have a torn rotator cuff and never know it. Ignoring existing chronic shoulder inflammation or sustaining a sharp blow or fall on an outstretched arm may cause the rotator cuff to tear partially or completely. An initial symptom is sharp pain in the shoulder that may radiate down to the elbow. Even so, the arm can still be moved in a normal range of motion. However, when the rotator cuff completely tears, the arm often cannot move in its normal range, and sometimes the arm cannot
