We have patients of all ages from 15-75 that come in to our office complaining of shoulder pain. Many of them have self diagnosed themselves with a rotator cuff tear, and have heard horror stories about what that means. In our patients in the 50's, 60's, and 70's it very well may be their rotator cuff and we come up with a treatment plan for them. For our younger patients "full thickness" meaning complete tears of the rotator cuff are rare. Patients in that population have more trouble with the labrum, and irritation of the rotator cuff diagnosed as "impingement.
The labrum is a cartilage "bumper" that surrounds the socket of the shoulder joint, and helps stabilize the shoulder. Most our patients with labral tears will come in and point to the front of their shoulder and state that the pain feels "deep". Many of these patients will also complain of pain that may radiate down their bicep.
Our patients that have rotator cuff problems usually complain of pain over the lateral or outside part of the shoulder that radiates or refers pain to the outside part of their upper arm. They usually have trouble or pain lifting their arm over shoulder level. Rotator Cuff repairs can now be fixed arthroscopically meaning no open incisions and generally less post op pain. Our patients usually use less than one bottle of pain medication, with many of our patients that only need them for the first few days post op.
It is important that your shoulder is evaluated by a fellowship trained shoulder specialist. The proper diagnosis, along with a early diagnosis is the key to treatment and a good outcome. If you have shoulder pain see a shoulder specialist and get on the road to recovery.