Rotator Cuff Tear

What is a Rotator Cuff Tear?

A rotator cuff tear occurs when one or more of the tendons in the rotator cuff of the shoulder become torn or damaged. The rotator cuff is a group of four tendons and associated muscles that stabilize and facilitate the movement of the shoulder joint. Common symptoms of rotator cuff tears include shoulder pain, weakness, limited range of motion, and difficulty with everyday tasks like lifting and reaching overhead.

Common Symptoms of Rotator Cuff Tears:

Shoulder pain often felt on the outside or front of the shoulder
Pain that worsens when lifting or lowering the arm
Difficulty in performing tasks like lifting objects or reaching overhead
Difficulty sleeping on the affected side due to pain
Limited range of motion in the shoulder, especially when trying to raise the arm
Audible cracking or popping sensations during shoulder movements
Gradual onset of symptoms for chronic tears
Sudden, intense pain from acute injuries

Potential Causes of Rotator Cuff Tears:

• Age-related wear and tear of the shoulder joints
• Repetitive overhead arm movements
• Traumatic injuries of the shoulders
• Degenerative changes in the tendons in the shoulder

Treatment Options for Rotator Cuff Tears

If you’re experiencing persistent shoulder pain, weakness, or difficulty lifting your arm, it could be a sign of a rotator cuff tear. At Westlake Sports Medicine, we begin with a comprehensive physical examination, assessing your shoulder’s range of motion, strength, and functional limitations.

When appropriate, we may recommend advanced imaging such as MRI or diagnostic ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis and evaluate the severity of the tear. Based on your unique findings and lifestyle goals, we will develop a personalized, non-surgical treatment plan to support healing and restore shoulder function.

Regenerative Medicine

At Westlake Sports Medicine, we focus on stimulating the body’s natural healing response to treat rotator cuff injuries and reduce inflammation—without relying on surgery.

One of our most effective options is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, which uses your own blood platelets—concentrated and injected into the injured tissue—to promote healing, reduce inflammation, and support long-term shoulder function.

We also offer exosome therapy, a next-generation regenerative treatment that delivers cellular signals to help reduce inflammation and support tissue regeneration at the microscopic level. This can be especially helpful in chronic or stubborn tendon injuries.

Corticosteroid injections can provide short-term pain relief, especially in acute flare-ups. However, current guidelines recommend using cortisone sparingly for rotator cuff injuries. While effective at reducing inflammation, repeated or high-dose injections have been associated with weakened tendon tissue and may impair long-term healing if overused.

At Westlake Sports Medicine, we may recommend cortisone judiciously as part of a broader plan—not as a standalone solution—with the goal of enabling patients to participate in rehab and healing-focused therapies.

Functional & Integrative Medicine

At Westlake Sports Medicine, we take a comprehensive approach to rotator cuff recovery— addressing not just the injury itself, but the underlying contributors to dysfunction. This may include nutritional strategies, lifestyle modifications, and targeted corrective exercises designed to improve shoulder mechanics and reduce reinjury risk.

By focusing on muscle imbalances, inflammation triggers, and movement patterns, we help you build lasting strength, im

Last Resort: Arthroscopic Surgery

While our approach at Westlake Sports Medicine emphasizes conservative, non-surgical care, there are cases—such as full-thickness or complex rotator cuff tears—where surgery may become the most appropriate option.

In these situations, we coordinate closely with trusted orthopedic surgeons who specialize in arthroscopic repair. This minimally invasive technique allows for precise tendon repair through small incisions, typically resulting in less postoperative pain and a faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery.

If surgery is indicated, we continue to support your recovery through pre- and post-operative care, including rehabilitation, regenerative support, and functional restoration strategies.