The term ‘rotator cuff‘ refers to the muscles that support and stabilize the arm, allowing it to move up and down as well as rotate. The rotator cuff is made up of four muscles — the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapulairs, and teres minor. Injuries to these muscles can cause pain and reduce range of motion. Symptoms of a torn rotator cuff include shoulder pain, decreased range of motion, weakness, and a deep ache.

Treatment: A torn rotator cuff needs to be evaluated by a trained medical professional to determine if surgery is needed; if left untreated, large tears can lead to arthritis due to inflammation of the joint. A torn rotator cuff surgery can often be repaired via arthroscopic surgery. Recovery then involves medication to reduce inflammation and physical therapy to improve strength and range of motion.