Who is most likely to tear their rotator cuff?
Rotator cuff tears are most common in younger athletes and older adults—but they tear them for different reasons. Younger patients typically tear a rotator cuff through participation in active sports or traumatic injury. Older people tear a rotator cuff due to loss of elasticity in the muscle and tendons of the shoulder. Even performing everyday activities can lead to rotator cuff damage. Your genes may also affect your probability of tearing a rotator cuff. A study published in the May 2009 issue of The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that people with relatives who have experienced rotator cuff tears have a greater risk of similar tendon tears themselves.
