Rotator Cuff Muscles

The rotator cuff is a series of four tendons that together make the shoulder joint move. One of the tendons, called the supraspinatus, is commonly pinched against the roof of the shoulder socket causing it to wear down and eventually tear or rupture with minimal trauma. This leaves a gap between the tendon and the bone where it should be attached which will never heal itself. If it is a small tear, the pain and lack of full use can be greatly relieved by a simple cortisone shot. Most often, though, the tear can be successfully repaired with a minimally invasive outpatient surgical procedure.