DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

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Orthopedic Condition

Rotator Cuff Tear

MODERATE

A tear in one or more of the four rotator cuff tendons in the shoulder (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis). Can occur from acute injury or degenerative changes with aging. Causes shoulder pain and weakness, especially with overhead activities.

Global Affected

40.0M

Countries

89

Symptoms

Shoulder pain (especially at night)
Weakness lifting arm
Difficulty reaching overhead
Clicking/popping sensation
Limited range of motion
Pain with specific movements
Muscle atrophy (chronic)

Treatment Options

Physical therapy
NSAIDs
Corticosteroid injections
Activity modification
Arthroscopic repair
Open repair
Superior capsular reconstruction
Reverse shoulder replacement
Patch augmentation

Risk Factors

1Age >40
2Repetitive overhead activities
3Heavy lifting
4Smoking
5Family history
6Trauma (fall on outstretched hand)
7Bone spurs
8Poor posture
9Athletes (tennis, baseball, swimming)

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1Physical examination
  • 2MRI (gold standard)
  • 3Ultrasound
  • 4X-ray (rule out other causes)
  • 5Arthrogram (less common now)
  • 6Strength testing

Prognosis

Good with treatment. 80-90% satisfactory outcomes with surgery. Retear rate 20-30%. Conservative treatment effective for many partial tears. Chronic massive tears have poorer outcomes.

Prevention

  • Shoulder strengthening exercises
  • Proper form during sports
  • Avoid repetitive overhead activities
  • Posture improvement
  • Warm up before activity
  • Eccentric exercises

Research Status

Physical therapy first-line for partial tears. Surgery for complete tears or failed conservative treatment. Arthroscopic repair is standard. Larger tears or older patients may have less successful outcomes. Reverse shoulder replacement for massive irreparable tears.

Affected Countries

United StatesUnited KingdomCanadaAustraliaGermanyFranceItalySpainJapanBrazilMexicoRussiaChinaIndiaSwedenNorwayFinlandNetherlandsBelgiumSwitzerlandAustriaDenmarkPolandCzech RepublicHungaryRomaniaBulgariaCroatiaSloveniaSlovakiaLTLVEEIrelandPortugalGreeceCYMTLUIcelandNew ZealandSouth KoreaTaiwanSingaporeHong KongMalaysiaThailandIndonesiaPhilippinesVietnamSouth AfricaEgyptTurkeySaudi ArabiaUAEQatarKuwaitBHOmanJordanLebanonSyriaIraqIranPakistanBangladeshLKMMKHLAMNKPUzbekistanKazakhstanKGTJTMAzerbaijanAMGEUkraineBelarusMDALBAMKMESerbiaXK

Sources

  • https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rotator-cuff-injury
  • https://www.hematology.org/education/patients
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books
  • https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.