A rotator cuff tear is one of the most common reasons for shoulder surgery and one of the most commonly misunderstood. The path from first pain to a decision follows a set order, and knowing the order helps patients in Dubai ask the right questions at each step.

Not every tear needs an operation, and not every operation is the same. This guide follows a tear from the first symptom to the decision about repair, and explains what each step is for.

What the rotator cuff is

The rotator cuff is four muscles and their tendons that surround the ball of the shoulder. They lift and rotate the arm and keep the ball centred in the socket. The tendon most often torn is the supraspinatus, which runs over the top of the shoulder. Tears come from a sudden injury, from years of overhead work, or from degeneration with age. AAOS OrthoInfo describes rotator cuff tears.

Step 1: the examination

Pain with lifting, weakness when holding the arm out and night pain are the typical signs. The examination tests each tendon of the cuff individually with resisted movement, and compares active with passive movement to rule out stiffness. The result tells the surgeon which tendon is involved and how much function is lost. Frozen shoulder or rotator cuff problem explains how the two are separated.

Step 2: the right scan

Ultrasound and MRI both show the cuff. Ultrasound answers a focused question quickly and shows movement in real time. MRI shows the full size and pattern of the tear, the quality of the muscle and any associated damage. The choice follows the question, and scans taken elsewhere are brought to the consultation and reviewed with you.

Step 3: the decision

Partial tears, tendon overload and small tears respond to a strengthening programme, activity changes and sometimes an injection. A tear in a patient who needs full overhead function, a large tear, an acute tear after injury, or a tear that is getting worse leads to the discussion of repair. Tear size and the condition of the muscle matter because a repair works best when it is done before the muscle degenerates.

Step 4: arthroscopic repair

The tendon is reattached to its bone attachment using anchors, through small incisions with a camera. I completed a fellowship in shoulder and elbow arthroscopy and sports medicine at Konkuk University Hospital in Seoul in 2012, and shoulder arthroscopy is the technique I use first. AAOS OrthoInfo describes how arthroscopy works. Tears that cannot be repaired are managed with other options, which are discussed in the consultation.

Step 5: rehabilitation

The repaired tendon is protected while it heals, then movement and strength return in stages. The programme is explained before surgery so the first weeks are planned in advance. Returning to overhead work and sport follows criteria and testing.

Rotator cuff problems in Dubai

Overhead sport in the gym, swimming, padel and tennis, and the physical demands of work all load the cuff. Padel injuries in Dubai and gym and CrossFit shoulder injuries cover the most common patterns. Shoulder pain at night is often the symptom that finally brings patients in.

Questions patients ask

Can a torn rotator cuff heal by itself?

Small partial tears can settle with rehabilitation. A full-thickness tear does not heal back to bone without repair, but not every full-thickness tear needs one.

Which scan do I need?

The examination decides. Ultrasound and MRI answer different questions.

How long should I wait before seeing a specialist?

If weakness or night pain persists beyond a few weeks, or after an injury with sudden weakness, book an assessment.

What if I have been told I need surgery?

Bring the scan and the report for a second opinion. What to bring and what to ask.

Is repair a big operation?

It is arthroscopic, through small incisions. The size of the tear and the rehabilitation that follows matter more than the incisions.

Check the facts yourself

Book a rotator cuff consultation in Dubai

Call or WhatsApp +971 553117577, request an appointment online, or see the contact page for the address and consultation days. I examine the problem, review any scans you bring and explain each option before any decision is made.

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