What are Shoulder Tendon Tears?
Several tendons attach to the shoulder to provide support and enable a wide range of motion. These tendons are: rotator cuff tendons, biceps tendons, triceps tendons and pectoralis tendons. A major injury to these tendons may result in tendon tears.
Causes of Shoulder Tendon Tears
A shoulder tendon tear may occur with repeated use of the arm for overhead activities, while playing sports, or from a motor accident.
What are the Symptoms of Shoulder Tendon Tears?
A shoulder tendon tear causes severe pain and weakness of the arm. There may be stiffness, swelling, loss of movement and tenderness on different areas of the shoulder or arm, depending on which tendon is torn.
How is a Shoulder Tendon Tear Diagnosed?
Your surgeon diagnoses a shoulder tendon tear based on a physical examination and X-rays. Shoulder Tendon Tears are best viewed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
What are the Treatment Options for Shoulder Tendon Tears?
Surgery is done when the rotator cuff, biceps tendons, triceps tendons or pectoralis tendons are severely damaged or torn. During the surgery, the damaged tendon is repaired and reattached to the bone.
Shoulder Tendon Procedure Repairs include:
- Rotator Cuff Repair
- Proximal Bicep Tenodesis
- Distal Bicep Tendon Repair
- Triceps Tendon Repair
- Pectoralis Tendon Repair
Doctors Performing Other Shoulder Tendon Repair Procedures
-
Howard W. Harris, M.D.Shoulder -
Michael L. Nguyen, M.D.Shoulder &
Sports Medicine
