Partial Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears

Partial thickness rotator cuff tears are a very very common finding on an MRI in people over the age of 35. Most of these "tears" are simply age and activity related. Most do not require rotator cuff or shoulder surgery.
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Use this as a stepping stone to improve your discussion with your surgeon. Research is changing every month. The views expressed here may not be relevant in the coming years. This video is for your education only... This is NOT meant as medical advice.
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Many improve without surgery. Some may require surgery... are there new techniques available to address them?

Пікірлер: 38

  • @wtruff37
    @wtruff376 жыл бұрын

    I had an MRI that shows partial thickness tear. I don't have Full ROM. In fact, I can't use my arm much for daily activities. I am chronically sleep deprived. I have so much pain especially at night. I have lived with this since my latter 20s and now it is unbearable. Waiting or PT did nothing but make it worse. Injections had no effect and did not even reach the pain. My quality of life sucks. The way you two are minimizing this is ridiculous. I would rather have stem cells but that's not an option. So I would rather have surgery than narcs or overuse of ibuprofen. It hurts just to type this and all the way up my neck clear to the back of my head. I've waited for this to heal for years and it hasn't. I have no disease. I have no bursitis, or arthritis or any other disease. It literally hurts when I use my arm and the more I use it or lay on or it hangs it grows in angry pain. This is very painful and I wish it was as simple as you make it sound. I'm not waiting for it to tear completely or until I'm 80 yo to have surgery. Sometimes it's the only option.

  • @danieledwards7176

    @danieledwards7176

    5 жыл бұрын

    Tiara, i have the same thing as well as a SLAP tear too. It's never going to heal on its own. I have been dealing with the pain since 2014. I am getting ready to make an appointment and insist on surgery. I hope you get back to normal soon.

  • @yolandalopez-mallari52

    @yolandalopez-mallari52

    3 жыл бұрын

    I have same problem like yours.What’s your plan now surgery/arthroscopy? My range of motion improving with PT and steroids shot to shoulder. But not 100 yet. I am an ER nurse i need arms to do my job.

  • @mikesandolo5464

    @mikesandolo5464

    3 жыл бұрын

    I have exactly what you have. But I have 4 full thickness tears along with a torn bicep. My Mayo Clinic Orthopedic surgeon didn’t want to do surgery. Just continue with PT. I am seeing another Orthopedic next week. I am 64 y/0. I want quality of like.

  • @donkirkwood6819

    @donkirkwood6819

    Жыл бұрын

    Totally agree. These two are minimizing the pain of this.

  • @fitman3170
    @fitman31702 жыл бұрын

    I’m a very healthy 51-year old. I injured my shoulder on the day of my 50th bday while I was bench pressing in the gym. So I’ve been in pain about 1.5 yrs. I had surgical repair done 2.5 wks ago on right shoulder. 2-partial tears which surgeon took 1 all the way thru and repaired. Dr started me on home PT a couple days ago with pendulum swings. So far so good. Next week I will start next home PT movement- table pushes Then next week will I will add wall walks. Dr said I won’t need PT from a physiotherapist at all. I’ve had to sleep in recliner since surgery and the pain is worse at night. But has gotten better since surgery. I’m not saying that PRP is useless but it didn’t work for me. Those of you that have bad tears don’t wait too long to get surgery. Over time if the tendon space becomes to much then surgery won’t be an option. Hope everyone gets better soon and stay well.

  • @John-ct9zs

    @John-ct9zs

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the advice. I'm 46 years old, I fell and injured my shoulder 2 years ago when I was 44. I can still move my shoulder fine and have plenty of range, but I have had a nagging on and off pain, sometimes at night it hurts, but not every night. An MRI showed a near full thickness tear. A respected shoulder surgeon recommended surgery or otherwise surgery won't be an option. However, almost evert doctor online and in KZread says surgery is no good and all the other doctors are just after money. I have no doubt my doctor wants to get paid, but I also don't want the tear to get worse and become inoperable.

  • @simojanahi7959

    @simojanahi7959

    11 ай бұрын

    Thanks for sharing your experience. How long did you have to wear the sling for? Thank you!

  • @wtruff37
    @wtruff376 жыл бұрын

    I did the kettlebell routine. I cannot even do a pushup. And I probably do have a tear in the other arm as well because it pops and clicks slightly with mild pain that resolves on its own. I did the kettlebells on my leftside as well and it caused it to hurt more, taking longer to resolve. However, the right affected rotator cuff tear is excruciating after use and at each pop and click during elevating it above my head or out from my body or behind my back. If I hold my arm solitaire and not use it, there is no pain. The doc says the use and spurs comes hand in hand with rotator cuff tears.

  • @besmart2350

    @besmart2350

    Жыл бұрын

    kettlebells are designed to ruin our shoulders. Wish I knew that sooner. Never had an issue with shoulders before buying a kettlebell. Now after an MRI I have: - partial-thickness supraspinatus tendon tear - AC joint Osteoarthritis

  • @getoffthisrocktravel2054
    @getoffthisrocktravel20542 жыл бұрын

    Got a partial thickness 8mm tear on the subscapularis tendon. On light duties and hoping it heals on its own. Seeing the surgeon in 1 month time do another open can test. I really don't want surgery

  • @crayshaunhenderson1265
    @crayshaunhenderson12652 жыл бұрын

    mines happen in 2013 and it's 2022 and i hurted my right shoulder but i believe it healed cause i can still throw the football and play drums. i want to start lifting weights again but i want to know by lifting weights will it help it get stronger or i shouldn't lift

  • @RideTheSkinner
    @RideTheSkinner Жыл бұрын

    Can you bring up a topic where when you can lift your arm from the side and touch your bicep to your ear and where you're restricted to a ~75° angle?.

  • @susanpeters282
    @susanpeters2823 жыл бұрын

    *Try the program in **_Treat Your Own Rotator Cuff_** at Amazon.*

  • @factor1114

    @factor1114

    3 жыл бұрын

    kzread.info/dash/bejne/aqSbwZlumcaqaLQ.html

  • @Rashidharoonkhan
    @Rashidharoonkhan2 жыл бұрын

    Dear sir This is my MRI report partial thickness tear 30% of distal supraspinatus tendon involving the anterior articular fibers Kindly advise It will heal without surgery And how much time take Thanks

  • @cnottagejr
    @cnottagejr4 жыл бұрын

    i did a mri and i was told i have a partial thickness tear and i got a cortizone shot and my shoulder feels better but it stills make a cracking sound when i move it around and it gets annoying but how can i get rid of that sound

  • @Dan-qt7kq
    @Dan-qt7kq10 күн бұрын

    61, and trying to figure out what it is. My shoulder feels like it’s coming out of joint, told it’s stuff shoulder but I think it’s not.

  • @wedyenohraindrops
    @wedyenohraindrops4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this video. I went to an orthopedic surgeon for a partial rotator cuff tear and they told me that I would need surgery if it doesn't get better, but that due to degeneration and tendinosis that I would DEFINITELY need surgery in 5 - 10 years. That verdict just felt wrong, especially since I am healing and have regained most of my range of motion. I am glad to hear a second opinion that says otherwise.

  • @Jc18able

    @Jc18able

    4 жыл бұрын

    What did you do? I have a partial tear on my supraspinatus

  • @justinsperanza3673

    @justinsperanza3673

    9 ай бұрын

    @@Jc18able I am in the same boat

  • @justinsperanza3673
    @justinsperanza36739 ай бұрын

    Howard, I have a 50 percent tear in my supraspinatus. I have no loss of range of motion and no weakness. It can be achy sometimes at night, and clicky, but other than that, it is fine. Two questions: Should I get it repaired? and since it is 50% does that mean it will indefinitely tear the whole way through? Thanks so much!

  • @zzaher91
    @zzaher912 жыл бұрын

    Challenge is getting the correct imaging now in 2022.

  • @weiniesail
    @weiniesail7 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for an insightful video. 46 y.o. male avid gym goer (weights), swimmer, and sailor (think grinding winches). MRI shows "moderate grade partial thickness articular side insertional tear of the distal infraspinatus tendon and small low grade partial thickness tear of the supraspinatus tendon superimposed on mild tendinosis". Doc recommended surgery based on my lifestyle which he thinks will most likely just be debridement and decompression. 1. Does this type of surgery actually cause the damaged tendon to regenerate any more than physical therapy would? 2. What is the purpose of debridement if the tendon does not regenerate? 3 Do you feel surgery is warranted in my case? Thanks!

  • @baliyogatravelretreats
    @baliyogatravelretreats5 жыл бұрын

    I told my surgeon I DIN"T want surgery...why would one want surgery if you can avoid it?

  • @deerinheadlights9784
    @deerinheadlights97844 жыл бұрын

    I have a partial thickness tear and tendinopathy in both shoulders. I was diagnosed with rotator cuff disease. I’m 36. I want to get back to doing push-ups, pull ups, handstands, and dynamic body weight movements along with cardio, yoga, and more. My PT thinks i can do it all except heavy military press. How do we fix this then? It’s the same thing other doctors have said. How much time? I can be patient and work with PT. Hope everyone heals as best you can and gets back to what you want to do.

  • @mohamadsirritarazi

    @mohamadsirritarazi

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'm in the same boat as you are. Any update on your shoulder?

  • @deerinheadlights9784

    @deerinheadlights9784

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@mohamadsirritarazi hey. If I can advise anything it’s to prioritize your shoulder and respect where you’re at. I was doing well January to April of 2020 and then I did something that aggravated it. It was a long summer and fall and I could t get the progress back and developed a frozen shoulder. So now I have this and then go back to strengthening. The good news is I was back to doing assisted pull ups and partial pull ups (with a ball underneath). My PT also told me that wide grip push ups are off the table and everything must be done with proper form and understanding how to activate those muscles. He said dips are questionable and may be able to be done in a certain way. Also he said I can do handstands again someday and it will take time. Shoulder tendons are made for repetition so it takes much repetition and time for whatever tendon any of us has left to get stronger to makeup for what is gone. I’ve been told I can get back there again this frozen shoulder takes 6 months to probably a year or so to rehab. Look it up and please do your best to rehab. I do not wish a frozen shoulder upon anyone. Not sure how old you are. I’m 37 and still a bit young to have developed one. Good luck! Find a good physical therapist that’s specializes in shoulders and listen to your body. Make whatever adjustments you need to and you’ll get better for sure!!!

  • @bankerssilvermoon
    @bankerssilvermoon10 ай бұрын

    The patch sounds like a great idea but people with Alpha-Gal can’t do that unless it’s from a knockout pig. I’ve rested my shoulder and had an injection and messed it up even more in my sleep. What’s worse is the time it takes to be seen

  • @cnottagejr
    @cnottagejr5 жыл бұрын

    I hurted my shoulder in the weight room and I didn't know I did until I went to a chiropractor he sent me to get an mri and it said partial thicknss tear and he stick me 3 times with a cortisone shot and it made my shoulder feel much better but I still need to strengthen the muscles around my should so can I go back into the weight room and start LIFTING weights again but slowly until it's strong again

  • @nebojsa1976
    @nebojsa19764 жыл бұрын

    I'm in my 40's. Have the pain when I try to put my right arm behind my back and try to raise it. Also, raising it straight up above my head is hard, but it is kind of close to straight (can't get it straight). When I put my right arm on my belly and try to raise my elbow, that is hard (as if I can't make it straight). It looks like I'm trying to raise it with my whole shoulder and neck muscles while the left arm I can raise when I put it on my belly. It is like the joint is working. But for right arm it is like my whole arm and shoulder and neck muscles are trying to raise arm and there is pain of course when I try to do that. I do have good strength. Problems is only when I try certain positions. Then it is hurting and I can't do it most of the time. I feel weakness in my right arm only in the morning (my fingers are weak, can't squeeze hard, but it improves very fast. Then pain appears in the cuff (not I'd say extremely painful), but when I try some of these positions, then the pain radiates through my biceps (sometimes on the back, sometimes of the front of arm) and ends at my elbow. What could this be and is physical therapy recommended or it might require surgery? The main difference between two shoulders is that right shoulder looks like it is using all muscles around to raise arm above, while on the left only rotator ball is doing the job (no bumps on shoulder when I try to do that).

  • @abdulbade
    @abdulbade6 жыл бұрын

    all videos dont address weightlifters

  • @HowardLuksMD

    @HowardLuksMD

    6 жыл бұрын

    Partial rotator cuff tears in weight lifters can be managed with PT more often than not. More weight lifters will fail to improve with PT. Therefore we tend to operate on more partial tears in weight lifters. The patch that I discuss in this post www.howardluksmd.com/orthopedic-social-media/rotator-cuff-tendinosis-is-a-cure-possible/ is very useful.

  • @kokone0

    @kokone0

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@HowardLuksMD Deep thank you Doctor!!! Although we can improve with PT, does part of the muscle or tendon atrophy within 3 months ? and thus preventing full recovery ? Thanks

  • @rockylion4382
    @rockylion43823 жыл бұрын

    Are you wearing lipstick?

  • @johhatomii3560

    @johhatomii3560

    3 жыл бұрын

    😆

  • @contimarthas7512
    @contimarthas75123 жыл бұрын

    The cuddly step-grandmother shortly frame because polo potentially fade upon a mature pest. kindly, therapeutic mice