Rotator cuff tears

Abstract

The rotator cuff is composed of four muscles; supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subescapularis and teres Minor. Its main function is to stabilize and center the humeral head in the glenoid cavity. The rotator cuff injury is the most common pathology of the shoulder, with a multifactorial etiology integrated by extrinsic and intrinsic risk factors such as age, smoking-status, occupational disposition and trauma. These injuries can lead to the patient’s functional deterioration and to a potential economic burden both for the patient and the healthcare center due to the necessity of carrying out several radiological studies, physiotherapy and even possibly a surgical procedure. The term “rotator cuff injuries” comprises tendinitis, partial-thickness tears, total-thickness tears, and massive tears. the diagnosis is based on a thorough physical exam and radiological studies, specially magnetic resonance imaging. Non-surgical treatment of these injuries has a positive prognosis in most patients, however some factors like tear size and time of onset could persuade the physician into performing a surgical procedure.