A rotator cuff tear is a rip in the muscles stabilizing your shoulder. Explore symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment options, and prevention tips to manage and recover effectively.

Why a Structured Recovery Plan Matters Four muscles and their tendons make up the rotator cuff; they smooth arm motion and ...

Many rotator cuff tears will not heal. The ability to heal can depend upon the severity and size of the tear. Tears in which the tendon is detached from the bone will not heal on their own.

"Rotator-cuff tears may also grow over time, but there's a lack of correlation between patient symptoms and the size and thickness of the tear," explained Jain.

Most rotator-cuff tears are degenerative, atraumatic, and more prevalent with age. Nonoperative treatment, including physical therapy, is typically recommended; surgery is considered in some cases.

Grade 3: tears in the rotator cuff or changes in the shoulder bone, such as the growth of bony spurs called osteophytes; Rotator cuff impingement is most common in older adults and athletes, ...

A rotator cuff tear in your shoulder often requires surgery and a recovery of about six months. LSO/Getty Images Q. I am a 55-year-old skier who just returned from Colorado. Last week, I fell and ...