Shoulder Rotator Cuff Disease

Anatomy

The term “Rotator Cuff” is used to describe the group of muscles and their tendons in the shoulder that helps control shoulder joint motion. The supraspinatus is at the top (superior) of the shoulder, the subscapularis is anterior (front), and the infraspinatus and teres minor are posterior (behind). These muscles insert or attach to the humeral head by way of their tendons. The tendons fuse together giving rise to the term “cuff.” Although each muscle acting alone may produce an isolated rotational movement of the shoulder, the role they play together is to help keep the humeral head (ball) centered within the glenoid (socket) as the powerful deltoid and other larger shoulder muscles act to lift the arm overhead.

Above the rotator cuff is a bony projection from the scapula (shoulder blade) called the acromion. The acromion forms the “ceiling” of the shoulder, serves as the point of origin for the deltoid muscle, and joins the clavicle (collarbone) to form the acromioclavicular (a/c) joint. Between the rotator cuff tendons and the acromion is a protective fluid-filled sack called a “bursa". With normal humeral elevation there is some contact between the rotator cuff, the bursa, and the acromion.

Pathology 

Rotator cuff pathology can be caused by extrinsic (outside) or intrinsic (from within) causes.  Extrinsic examples include a traumatic tear in the tendon(s) from a fall or accident. Overuse injuries from repetitive lifting, pushing, pulling, or throwing are also extrinsic in nature. Intrinsic factors include poor blood supply, normal attrition or degeneration with aging, and calcific invasion of the tendon(s).

Rotator cuff “tendonitis” is the term used to describe irritation of the tendon(s) either from excessive pressure on the acromion or less commonly from intrinsic tendon pathology. Irritation of the adjacent bursa is known as subdeltoid or subacromial “bursitis.” Repetitive overhead activities resulting in irritation of the tendon(s) and bursa from repeated contact with the undersurface of the acromion is called “Impingement Syndrome.”

Diagnosis

Patients with rotator cuff pathology commonly present with an activity related dull ache in their upper lateral (outer) arm and shoulder. Above shoulder level activity is usually most difficult. Many people have little to no discomfort with below shoulder level activities such as golf, bowling, gardening, writing or typing, etc. Conversely, tennis, baseball/softball, basketball, swimming, painting, etc. will be more problematic.   

Pain in the shoulder may extend down as far as the elbow, but not usually beyond. Neck pain on the same side may develop later as a result of using the scapular elevators excessively to compensate for abnormal glenohumeral motion.  These scapular elevators, such as the trapezius originate from the cervical spine and can cause pain in the posterior neck and well as occipital (low) headaches. Patients may also experience snapping or cracking within the shoulder, pain at night, difficulty lying on the shoulder, and difficulty getting dressed. Late findings include weakness and loss of shoulder motion.

Conservative Treatment

Many rotator cuff tears do not require surgery. Conservative treatment of rotator cuff disease classically includes rest, activity modification, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy. Therapy may include heat, cold, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, massage and other modalities, but the hallmark of an effective rotator cuff rehabilitation program is therapeutic exercise. Stretching of particularly the posterior joint capsule can help the tendency of the humeral head to migrate superiorly toward the acromion with forward elevation. Strengthening of the remaining rotator cuff through resistance exercises can again help contain the humeral head within the glenoid and avoid undue pressure up on the acromion. Finally, muscle re-education to normalize the mechanics of shoulder motion can help return the patient to his or her full function.

In patients who fail to improve with initial conservative therapy, there may be a role for judicious use of corticosteroid (“cortisone”) injection therapy in the bursa above the tendon. The mechanism of how this technique may be helpful is not completely clear, but it may reduce bursal and tendon irritation and swelling. The cortisone does not just “mask” the problem, but helps break the cycle of pain, swelling, weakness, and continued impingement.  Injection therapy may then help reduce pain and impingement and allow the individual to continue to work on rotator cuff strengthening. Current recommendations are that a maximum of 3 cortisone injections should be used per shoulder. There is some evidence in laboratory research that more than 3 cortisone injections around an otherwise healthy tendon may result in considerable weakening of the tendon and even rupture. 

Surgical Treatment

Patients with more advanced rotator cuff disease or a more significant injury may fail efforts at conservative therapy. If the patient feels that his or her quality of life is being significantly impacted by the shoulder dysfunction, then consideration of surgical intervention is certainly reasonable. In some cases simple debridement of a frayed or partially torn cuff tendon along with smoothing of the undersurface of the acromion (acromioplasty) above the tendon may be all that is needed. More significant partial tearing (more than 50% of the tendon thickness) and complete tears require reattachment of the tendon ends back to the humeral head. 

Rotator cuff repair is most commonly done by an open surgical procedure, which typically requires a 2 to 4 inch incision at the top of the shoulder. The deltoid muscle is split and the undersurface of the acromion is smoothed. Strong stitches are placed in the torn ends of the rotator cuff tendons, and they are attached back the bone of the humerus through specially created tunnels or commercially available suture anchors. Because the entire shoulder cannot be visualized through the open approach, many surgeons will perform an initial diagnostic arthroscopy of the shoulder at the time of the repair to be sure there are no other coexisting problems within the shoulder which could be addressed at that time. This technique may be done on an inpatient basis, or as an outpatient surgery, if the patient is comfortable enough to go home that same day.  

Arthroscopic techniques for rotator cuff repair were developed over 10 years ago and have been continually refined. This is an extremely difficult approach for the surgeon to initially learn, but once mastered, can be quite rewarding for both doctor and patient. Unlike the open technique, the incisions used for an arthroscopic repair only the size of a shirt buttonhole. There may be 3 to 4 of these very small incisions, and early indications are, as might be expected, that patients have much less postoperative pain and require less prescription pain medication as a result. As a result, this is usually done as an outpatient procedure. Several studies have shown that the long-term results are as good as the “gold standard” open approach.  

Post Operative Rehabilitation 

Whether done open or arthroscopically, rotator cuff repair is a major operation that requires considerable rehabilitation. Several rehabilitation protocols for rotator cuff repair are available and are based on the size of the tear and repair. The shoulder is typically protected in a sling for 4 weeks, although some gentle passive motion is typically begun almost immediately. 

It takes 12 weeks for the tendon to begin to heal down to the bone, and that the attachment continues to mature and strengthen for 2 years. Despite the prolonged healing course, patients can very often begin light computer work or writing in 1 to 2 weeks, lift the arm overhead 2 months after surgery, participate in golf, fishing, and other less strenuous activities at 4 months, and return to full sports and work participation at 5 to 6 months. 

Long term studies have revealed 80 to 95 percent good to excellent results for rotator cuff repair done open or arthroscopically. Patient satisfaction rates are just as high.  In the majority of these studies, over 90% of patients agreed that in retrospect they would have the surgery again if needed. Unfortunately patients with worker’s compensation cases or other litigation related to the shoulder injury have not enjoyed the same success rates. Good to excellent results in these patients may be as low as 65 to 75 percent, yet they are just as likely to indicate that they would have the surgery again if necessary. A well-motivated patient combined with a well-done repair and a comprehensive rehabilitation program, typically results in a satisfied patient who is able to return to his or her normal activities of daily living with little to no compromise.

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