A 2 cm rotator cuff tear is considered a medium-sized tear (1-3 cm), which can cause significant pain and weakness, but often responds well to non-surgical treatment like physical therapy, though larger tears have higher re-tear rates after surgery. While not "massive," its severity depends on symptoms, your activity level, and how much the tendon has pulled back (retraction), but early treatment is key to prevent further damage and restore function.
Other signs that surgery may be a good option for you include: Your symptoms have lasted 6 to 12 months. You have a large tear (more than 3 cm) and the quality of the surrounding tendon tissue is good. You have significant weakness and loss of function in your shoulder.
A complete or full-thickness tear is much more severe. In this type of tear, the tendon is completely detached (torn away) from the bone, either fully (a full-thickness complete tear) or partly (a full-thickness incomplete tear).
Rotator cuff injuries can affect any combination of the rotator cuff muscles which may also refer pain down the arm and even to the wrist and hand. You may experience pain at night lying on your affected shoulder or experience pain and difficulty when lifting the arm or using the sore muscles.
Constant pain is one of the most common signs of a torn rotator cuff. The pain may be felt in the shoulder and upper arm, and can range from a dull ache to a sharp, stabbing sensation. The shoulder pain may also worsen when the arm is raised overhead or moved in certain positions.
However, we have anecdotally noted that patients presenting with common shoulder pathologies that do not typically involve nerve entrapment, such as rotator cuff tears, glenohumeral labral tears, shoulder arthritis, and adhesive capsulitis, also suffer from hand paresthesia and numbness (2-5).
Your doctor may recommend rotator cuff surgery if:
Can physical therapy hurt a torn rotator cuff? Physical therapy is generally safe and beneficial for rotator cuff tears, but improper exercises or overuse can sometimes cause discomfort or worsen the injury. It's important to work with a trained physical therapist who can tailor exercises to your specific condition.
It depends. You may feel a dull ache deep within your shoulder, or it may feel like you're being stabbed with a knife. Sudden tears from accidents or trauma cause immediate, intense shoulder pain and arm weakness. With degenerative tears, you may have mild pain that improves with over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers.
An acute or overuse injury may cause the rotator cuff to be injured and varying widths of tears may cause increased pain and dysfunction of the shoulder joint. A large size rotator cuff tear is defined as a tear 3- 5cm, massive >5cm.
According to the Anesthesia Manual of Surgical Procedures, pain from Rotator Cuff surgery is rated at 6 out of 10 on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain. Pain medication is given to control pain and keep patients comfortable after surgery.
Most rotator cuff tears don't require surgery to heal. This is because most people with rotor cuff tears don't have any problem with their shoulders. Even if the torn rotator cuff causes shoulder pain, you can get relief without surgical treatment.
Those are small to medium tears. Patients still have the ability to raise their arm, and they can still do day-to-day things, but they tend to have some pain. So, being able to use the arm and move it and raise it above your head does not necessarily mean that the rotator cuff is intact.
You may not be a good candidate if: Your shoulder pain is due to stiffness or joint disease, but does not rotator cuff damage. Your muscle tissue is weak including muscle loss or shortening. You are older than 65.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) can differentiate into different mesodermal tissues and have a strong paracrine, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory and angiogenic potential. Stem cell therapy is thus a potentially effective therapy to enhance rotator cuff healing.
The "7 Minute Rotator Cuff Solution" refers to a short, daily exercise program from a book by Joseph Horrigan and Jerry Robinson, designed to prevent and rehabilitate rotator cuff injuries by strengthening muscles, improving mobility, and creating space in the shoulder joint through simple, gentle movements like stretches and specific strengthening exercises, often using bodyweight or light resistance to boost blood flow and joint lubrication, though it's best used alongside a professional diagnosis.
Rest and Rehabilitation
Often, doctors will recommend immobilizing the shoulder with a sling to restrict movement during the initial healing phase. Once the inflammation has subsided, rehabilitation exercises play a pivotal role in strengthening the affected muscles and restoring mobility.
Pain is strongest right after surgery but is managed with medication and nerve blocks. As the anesthesia wears off, discomfort can be moderate to severe. Pain gradually decreases as the shoulder starts healing. Gentle exercises help keep the joint mobile without straining it.
Only about 10-20% of rotator cuff tears need surgery, as most people manage well with treatments like physical therapy. Many with partial tears or mild symptoms find relief without surgery, showing that most rotator cuff injuries don't require surgical repair.
If you are dealing with rotator cuff issues, you can reduce pain by sleeping on your back rather than on your side. You can even elevate your injured shoulder in this position by placing a folded towel or pillow underneath it, reducing swelling and inflammation.
Key Takeaways
Post-surgery, most shoulder replacement patients experience less pain for shorter amounts of time compared to other shoulder surgeries, such as rotator cuff repairs.
Moist heat, such as a hot bath, shower, or a heat pack, can help loosen up your shoulder when you feel pain in your shoulder. An ice pack applied to the shoulder 20 minutes at a time, 3 to 4 times a day, may also help cut down the swelling when you are in pain.
A rotator cuff tear may result from an acute injury, such as a fall, or may be caused by normal aging-related wear and tear with degeneration of the tendon. Typically, you will feel pain in the front or side of your shoulder that radiates (travels) down the side of your arm.
Pain radiating from the shoulder to the hand can result from conditions such as nerve compression, arthritis, rotator cuff injuries, tendinitis, or carpal tunnel syndrome. A thorough diagnosis is essential for appropriate treatment.