May is Arthritis Awareness Month, a designation intended to raise awareness about arthritis and get people to consider how the condition might affect their lives.
Kristofer J. Jones, MD, provides personalized care for Los Angeles, California, residents with arthritis, including cuff tear arthropathy.
Let’s explore what this condition is, how it develops, and what you can do to reduce your risk of experiencing cuff tear arthropathy.
Your rotator cuff is a collection of four muscles and tendons that surround the humeral head, or ball of your shoulder joint. These muscles enable you to lift your arm and complete rotation movements.
The shoulder has the most mobility of any joint within the body, but it also has the least stability.
A rotator cuff tear is a common shoulder injury and happens when the tendons that hold the shoulder joint together begin to separate from the bone.
You can have a partial tear where the tendon is damaged but still attached to the bone, or a full-thickness tear, where the tendon is partially or fully detached from the bone.
Rotator cuff arthropathy happens when there’s a full-thickness rotator cuff tear, degenerative changes within the shoulder joint, and when the humerus becomes displaced.
The condition usually develops over time, beginning with damage to the rotator cuff muscles or tendons. Left untreated, the condition can worsen into cuff tear arthropathy.
Many factors lead to rotator cuff tears. Traumatic and sports injuries can cause a sudden tear. The more common cause is a gradual weakening of the tendon that connects muscle to bone.
Age is a factor, and as you move through middle age and beyond, your risk of developing a rotator cuff tear increases. Your circulation also declines, leaving your muscles and tendons without the nourishment they need to recover from minor injuries.
Bone spurs can also cause damage to the rotator cuff. Overuse of the shoulder joint is another causal factor, so if your job or hobbies have you moving your shoulder frequently, your risk level is elevated.
You can take steps to reduce your risk of a rotator cuff tear. Be careful about lifting heavy items, and limit activities that include repetitive shoulder movements. If you play sports that involve heavy contact, wear the protective gear to avoid damaging your rotator cuff.
Cuff tear arthropathy is a form of advanced arthritis. It’s a condition that usually develops over time following a rotator cuff tear.
The best way to prevent this development from happening is to pay close attention to your shoulder joints and seek professional care if you suspect a rotator cuff tear.
There’s no honor in “toughing it out” when it comes to joint damage. Continuing to put pressure on a damaged joint will only make it worse. Many rotator cuff tears can be treated using conservative measures if you seek help in the early stages.
Surgery might be needed if the tear is severe or if you have other problems with the affected joint. While surgery is usually not something people seek out, delaying or avoiding surgical intervention can cause severe and irreparable joint damage.
Many procedures can be done arthroscopically and are minimally invasive.
Left untreated, a rotator cuff tear can progress to the point that it can no longer be effectively treated. At that point, further destabilization of the joint is highly likely.
If you notice changes in your shoulder joint, reach out to Kristofer J. Jones, MD, to book a consultation. With phone-based and online booking options, it’s easy to review availability and schedule a visit at a time that works for you.
