Rehab Science Navigating a Rotator Cuff Tear — Rehab or Surgery?
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Oct 15, 2025 Dive into the intricate world of rotator cuff tears! Discover how the four crucial muscles stabilize shoulder movement, and why the supraspinatus is often the weakest link. Learn the key distinctions between partial and full-thickness tears. Surprisingly, imaging doesn’t always align with symptoms—pain doesn’t always correlate with tears. Uncover effective rehab strategies that focus on pain reduction and progressive strengthening, with many achieving full recovery without surgery. Plus, find out when surgical options are truly necessary!
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Shoulder: Mobility With Fragile Stability
- The rotator cuff is four muscles that stabilize and move the shoulder across a huge range of motion.
- Their coordination provides dynamic stability but also makes the shoulder prone to overload and wear.
Tears Are Usually Degenerative
- Most rotator cuff tears arise from degenerative changes rather than a single event, especially after age 40.
- Tendon blood supply and repetitive microtrauma drive weakening over time.
Why Supraspinatus Tears Predominate
- The supraspinatus tendon is most commonly affected because it runs under the acromion and faces compressive stress.
- Hooked acromions or bone spurs increase mechanical risk for supraspinatus injury.
