most commonly supraspinatus

‘the rotator cuff is worn not torn’, rather like the frayed heel of a sock that may have a split in it.

Risk factors

• traumatic injury in young, atraumatic in old
• risk increased with age

Clinical Features

• sudden onset severe pain with event (may hear “POP”)
• often night pains - almost impossible to sleep on side
• normal bone/soft tissue contours
• may have protective shoulder hike
• marked weakness in abduction and/or external rotation
• may have crepitus
• defect may be palpable in large tears
• Drop Arm Test: positive (uncontrolled drop) = probable supraspinatus tear
• Empty Can Test: positive (pain/weakness) = probable supraspinatus tear