Your rotator cuff is a collection of muscles and tendons that help to hold the ball portion of your shoulder joint within the socket. These soft tissues are very strong, but as a result of acute injury and the natural degeneration process, one or more supportive tendons can end up tearing. In fact, rotator cuff tears are quite common here in the US, as roughly two million people seek medical care for rotator cuff tears each year.
Each one of these tears will be unique, as rotator cuff tears come in all different shapes and sizes. In fact, oftentimes they are classified based on their size, which are categorized as small, medium, large and massive. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at the different classifications of rotator cuff tears and explain how each is typically managed.
Types Of Rotator Cuff Tears
A rotator cuff tear is typically classified based on the thickness and size of the tear in the tendon. These tears are also commonly classified as partial thickness or complete thickness tears. A partial thickness tear means that the tendon is still attached and only a portion of the tendon was damaged. Conversely, a complete thickness tear or total tear occurs when the entire tendon is torn
Complete thickness tears are further classified based on the size of the tear:
- Small – Less than 1 centimeter
- Medium – 1-3 centimeters
- Large – 3-5 centimeters
- Massive – Larger than 5 centimeters or involving more than one tendon
The larger the tear, the more severe the symptoms and impact to natural motion.
Treating Different Sized Rotator Cuff Tears
Rotator cuff injuries are typically diagnosed following a clinical exam and some imaging tests. Your doctor will first ask you about your symptoms before examining your shoulder and seeing how it responds to simple movement tests. From there, they will likely order an MRI to pinpoint the precise location and size of the tendon tear.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a rotator cuff tear, your doctor will walk you through your treatment options. Although treatment will be determined on a case-by-case basis, here’s a general look at how rotator cuff injuries may be treated based on their size.
- Partial, Small and Medium – In many cases, partial tears, small tears and medium thickness tears can be effectively managed through conservative methods. This will involve prolonged rest and shoulder protection before gradually taking on greater challenges to strengthen the tendons with physical therapy. Ice, medications and hot/cold therapy can also be helpful during recovery, but it will be physical therapy and the passage of time that really drives home tendon recovery.
- Large and Massive – Given their size and the challenges the tendon will face in restoring both strength and stability on its own, these larger tears are usually best addressed with a surgical procedure. Surgery will artificially reinforce the tendon and secure it in a healthy position for natural healing to occur as planned. Following surgery, you’ll follow a similar protocol to those in the conservative care program, as rest, anti-inflammatory medications and weeks of physical therapy will help you get back to a preinjury level of fitness.
If you suspect that you’ve suffered a rotator cuff tear and need help diagnosing and treating the problem, look no further than Dr. Holloway and his team. Reach out to his office for all your shoulder care needs. Give them a call today at (865) 410-7887.
