Rotator Cuff Tear
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Individualised Care
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Whole-Shoulder Approach
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Progressive Rehabilitation
Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment in Epping
Our multidisciplinary team provides assessment and treatment for rotator cuff injuries to patients across Epping, South Morang, Wollert, Mill Park, Donnybrook and surrounding suburbs.
Whether your shoulder pain began after a fall or lifting injury, developed through repetitive overhead activity or gradually became more noticeable over time, we focus on understanding your symptoms, shoulder function and activity demands.
The rotator cuff is made up of four muscles and their tendons that surround the shoulder joint. Together they help stabilise the shoulder and control movements such as lifting, reaching and rotating the arm.
A rotator cuff tear occurs when part or all of one of these tendons is torn. Tears can vary considerably in size and severity, from partial-thickness tears involving only part of the tendon through to full-thickness tears.
At Muscle Joint Bone, we assess shoulder movement, rotator cuff strength, surrounding muscle function and the activities that aggravate your symptoms. Where a significant tear or another shoulder injury is suspected, further medical assessment or imaging may also be appropriate.
What Is a Rotator Cuff Tear?
A rotator cuff tear involves damage to one or more of the tendons connecting the rotator cuff muscles to the upper arm bone.
Some tears occur suddenly following an injury such as a fall, heavy lift or shoulder trauma. Others develop gradually as the tendon changes over time or is repeatedly exposed to demanding movements.
Not every rotator cuff tear causes severe pain. Some people may have structural tendon changes with relatively few symptoms, while others experience significant weakness, pain and difficulty using the arm.
This is why assessment should consider more than imaging alone. Your symptoms, strength, movement and ability to perform everyday or sporting activities all help guide management.
What Can Contribute to a Rotator Cuff Tear?
Rotator cuff tears can occur suddenly or develop progressively over time. Age-related tendon changes, trauma, repetitive overhead activity and the demands placed on the shoulder can all influence rotator cuff health.
Falls & Sudden Trauma
A fall onto an outstretched hand, forceful lifting movement or other shoulder injury can place sudden stress through the rotator cuff and may result in an acute tear.
Age-Related Degeneration
Rotator cuff tendons can change as we get older. These changes may reduce the tendon’s ability to tolerate load and can contribute to degenerative or gradual tears.
Repetitive Overhead Activity
Repeated reaching, lifting, throwing or working above shoulder height can expose the rotator cuff to frequent loading. This may be relevant in some occupations and sports.
Sudden Increases in Shoulder Demand
Increasing gym training, throwing volume, swimming, lifting or overhead work faster than the shoulder is prepared to tolerate may aggravate an already sensitive rotator cuff.
Previous Shoulder Injuries
Previous dislocations, significant shoulder trauma or recurring shoulder problems can alter how the joint and surrounding muscles function and may contribute to ongoing rotator cuff symptoms.
Reduced Shoulder Strength & Control
Reduced rotator cuff and shoulder-blade muscle capacity may influence how effectively the shoulder manages repeated lifting, reaching and sporting demands.
Not sure what is causing your shoulder pain? Book an assessment so our team can examine your shoulder movement, strength, rotator cuff function and activity demands.
Book an AssessmentROTATOR CUFF TEAR ASSESSMENT & TREATMENT
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEEK TREATMENT FOR A ROTATOR CUFF TEAR?
Shoulder pain does not automatically mean you have a rotator cuff tear. Tendon irritation, bursitis, joint problems and other shoulder conditions can produce similar symptoms.
Assessment can help determine what structures may be contributing to your symptoms and whether further investigation is required.
Common reasons to seek assessment include:
- Persistent shoulder or upper-arm pain
- Pain when lifting or lowering your arm
- Weakness when reaching or lifting
- Difficulty performing overhead activities
- Pain when reaching behind your back
- Shoulder pain affecting sleep
- Difficulty lying on the affected shoulder
- Reduced shoulder movement
- Symptoms affecting work, gym training or sport
- Shoulder pain that repeatedly returns when activity increases
A sudden injury followed by marked weakness, inability to lift the arm normally, significant loss of movement or severe pain should be assessed promptly. Medical imaging or specialist review may be recommended where a substantial rotator cuff tear, fracture, dislocation or another significant shoulder injury is suspected.
If shoulder symptoms are affecting your everyday activities, our multidisciplinary team can assess your movement, strength and functional capacity and determine an appropriate next step.
A CLOSER LOOK AT YOUR SYMPTOMS
COMMON ROTATOR CUFF TEAR SYMPTOMS
SHOULDER & UPPER-ARM PAIN
Pain may be felt around the outer or front of the shoulder and can sometimes extend into the upper arm.
PAIN WHEN LIFTING YOUR ARM
Reaching overhead, lifting objects or moving the arm away from the body may reproduce shoulder pain.
SHOULDER WEAKNESS
The affected shoulder may feel weaker during lifting, reaching, pushing, pulling or rotating movements.
NIGHT PAIN
Shoulder pain may become more noticeable at night, particularly when lying on the affected side.
REDUCED MOVEMENT
Some people find it difficult to comfortably reach overhead, behind their back or away from their body.
CLICKING OR CREPITUS
Clicking, catching or other sensations may occur during shoulder movement, although these symptoms alone do not necessarily indicate a rotator cuff tear.
Our Treatment Approach
Treatment for a rotator cuff tear depends on factors including how the injury occurred, the extent of the tear, your symptoms, strength, activity level and functional goals.
Not every rotator cuff tear requires surgery. For many people, conservative management involving appropriate activity modification and progressive exercise rehabilitation may help improve shoulder function.
Depending on your presentation, your treatment and rehabilitation may include:
- Temporary modification of aggravating activities
- Shoulder mobility exercises
- Rotator cuff strengthening
- Scapular and upper-back strengthening
- Progressive resistance training
- Shoulder stability and control exercises
- Soft-tissue treatment where appropriate
- Gradual return to overhead activity
- Work-specific rehabilitation
- Gym or sport-specific rehabilitation
- Education around managing shoulder load
- Referral for medical imaging where clinically indicated
- GP or specialist referral where appropriate
The goal is not simply to make the shoulder temporarily less painful. Rehabilitation aims to progressively improve the strength, movement and capacity required for your everyday activities.
Because Muscle Joint Bone brings multiple disciplines together, your care may involve Physiotherapists, Osteopaths, Chiropractors and Exercise Physiologists depending on your presentation and rehabilitation needs.
ROTATOR CUFF TEAR TREATMENT
MORE THAN PAIN RELIEF. REBUILD YOUR SHOULDER’S CAPACITY.
WHY CHOOSE MUSCLE JOINT BONE
Rotator cuff symptoms can affect far more than the injured tendon itself. Shoulder-blade control, surrounding muscle strength, movement, workload and the demands of your work or sport can all influence how your shoulder functions.
ASSESS THE SHOULDER. NOT JUST THE PAINFUL AREA.
Effective management begins with understanding how the injury is affecting your shoulder. We assess movement, rotator cuff strength, shoulder-blade function and the activities that reproduce your symptoms.
ONE TEAM. MULTIPLE DISCIPLINES.
Your care can be supported by Physiotherapists, Osteopaths, Chiropractors and Exercise Physiologists, allowing different stages of treatment and rehabilitation to be managed within one multidisciplinary clinic.
REBUILD STRENGTH. RETURN TO ACTIVITY.
Reduced pain does not necessarily mean your shoulder is ready for heavy lifting, overhead work or sport. Rehabilitation progressively rebuilds strength, control and load tolerance based on the activities you want to return to.