CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Rotator cuff tears
- No.1 in London for private orthopaedic care
- 97% of orthopaedic patients rate our care ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’
- Appointments confirmed within 24 hours
Jump to
ROTATOR CUFF TEARS AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
A rotator cuff tear can be painful and affect your ability to move your shoulder and arm the way you want to. Here at HCA UK, we can use state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging technology to see exactly what’s happened to your rotator cuff and get you on the path to the right treatment as soon as possible.
Our multi-disciplinary team are ready to devise a treatment plan that’s personalised to your needs, and we can treat you at a variety of locations with flexible appointment times. It’s why 97% of our orthopaedic patients would recommend us to their family and friends.
Our multi-disciplinary team are ready to devise a treatment plan that’s personalised to your needs, and we can treat you at a variety of locations with flexible appointment times. It’s why 97% of our orthopaedic patients would recommend us to their family and friends.
A rotator cuff tear is an injury that can affect the muscles and tendons in your shoulder, and it’s one of the most common causes of shoulder pain.
Your rotator cuff is made up of four muscles and tendons that connect the ball at the top of your upper arm bone (humerus) to your shoulder blade. These tendons can partially or completely tear, either over time or because of a specific injury.
Your rotator cuff is made up of four muscles and tendons that connect the ball at the top of your upper arm bone (humerus) to your shoulder blade. These tendons can partially or completely tear, either over time or because of a specific injury.
It’s possible to have a rotator cuff tear and not experience any symptoms at all, but it can also be extremely painful and affect your mobility. Some common symptoms include:
These issues may be caused by other problems, so it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis so you can receive exactly the right treatment.
- Pain at the top and side of your shoulder
- Struggling to lift or rotate your arm
- Hearing a cracking, popping or grating sound when you lift or move your arm
- Neck or elbow pain
These issues may be caused by other problems, so it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis so you can receive exactly the right treatment.
Your consultant may recommend a range of imaging tests to see your shoulder joint more clearly, such as:
- X-rays - these don’t show any tears, but can show if you have conditions that a tear may have caused
- Ultrasound scans, which can help show any damage to the superficial tendons, muscle and soft tissue of your shoulder joint
- An MRI scan, which shows the most detail, including your bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissue in your shoulder joint
No.1
in London for private orthopaedic care
10
specialist orthopaedic fields offering personalised treatment
97%
of our patients are likely to recommend us to family and friends
Fast access to specialists
appointments bookable online or by phone
Expert orthopaedic treatments
from specialist shoulder and elbow consultants
State-of-the-art diagnostics
with results in as little as 48 hours
Worried about your shoulder?
Book a same-or-next-day GP appointment.
Have a referral letter and need to book?
Simply book a test, scan or treatment directly today.
Unsure of a diagnosis and need some answers?
Talk to a consultant and get the reassurance you need.
ROTATOR CUFF TEAR TESTS AND SCANS AT HCA UK
Rapid diagnosis and treatment for your shoulder pain
Diagnosis always begins with a physical examination. Your consultant will look at how well you can move your shoulder, how painful that movement is and whether there are any points of weakness.
They might also ask for imaging tests to see your shoulder joint more clearly, such as:
If your consultant sees any damage, such as a partial or complete tear, they can assess how much it’s affecting your mobility and pain levels and devise a specific course of treatment to help.
They might also ask for imaging tests to see your shoulder joint more clearly, such as:
- X-rays
- Ultrasound scans
- MRI scans
If your consultant sees any damage, such as a partial or complete tear, they can assess how much it’s affecting your mobility and pain levels and devise a specific course of treatment to help.
ROTATOR CUFF TEAR TREATMENTS AT HCA UK
Expert treatments, personalised to you
There’s a range of treatment options for a rotator cuff tear. The treatment your consultant recommends will depend on your age and general health, how old your injury is, how severe it is, and the impact it’s having on your life.
Common treatment options can include:
Surgery is usually only recommended as a last resort. If you have a large tear in your rotator cuff, or a smaller tear hasn’t responded to non-surgical treatment, then surgery may be the best option.
Common treatment options can include:
- Rest, and specifically avoiding activity that aggravates your pain
- Painkillers and anti-inflammatory medicines
- Steroid injections
- Exercises or physiotherapy
- Rotator cuff repair surgery
Surgery is usually only recommended as a last resort. If you have a large tear in your rotator cuff, or a smaller tear hasn’t responded to non-surgical treatment, then surgery may be the best option.
Accessing private healthcare
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what treatments you’re paying for.
Find out more
Rotator cuff tear FAQ
A rotator cuff tear can happen for a variety of reasons, but some of the more common causes include:
- Acute or sudden tears: These can be caused by a fall on your outstretched arm, violently jerking or extension of your arm, sudden movement while lifting something heavy, or a direct blow to your shoulder
- Degenerative tears: These are small tears that get bigger over time, caused by repeated overarm movement, age, and general wear and tear
- Stress tears: Playing sports such as tennis or repeatedly lifting heavy objects at work can strain your rotator cuff and lead to tears
If you’ve got a tear in your rotator cuff, you’ll usually experience some or all the following symptoms:
- Persistent shoulder pain, especially when you lift or rotate your arm or try to sleep on that shoulder
- Your arm feels too weak to lift or you can’t rotate it properly
- Your shoulder feels like it’s cracking or popping when you move it
- You can’t move your shoulder as freely or widely as you want to
It’s rare for a rotator cuff tear to heal without some form of medical intervention. Even a minor tear is likely to require some medication and physical therapy, and larger or complete tears may require surgery.
Leaving a rotator cuff tear untreated can lead to increased damage, more pain and reduced mobility in your shoulder.
Leaving a rotator cuff tear untreated can lead to increased damage, more pain and reduced mobility in your shoulder.
Not all rotator cuff tears cause symptoms, and the condition can sometimes be relatively easy to live with, but there are risks if you leave it untreated.
They include:
They include:
- Your shoulder becoming stiffer and more painful over time
- Increased weakness in your shoulder, which can affect the strength and flexibility of your arm
- Any tear or damage in your shoulder tendons getting worse over time
- Potentially developing arthritis in your shoulder joint
No, surgery isn’t always necessary. It depends on how badly damaged your rotator cuff is, and the impact it’s having on your everyday life.
Many rotator cuff tears can be managed with:
Many rotator cuff tears can be managed with:
- Physiotherapy, which can help to strengthen the muscles around your rotator cuff
- Anti-inflammatory medications or corticosteroid injections to help reduce pain and swelling
- Rehabilitation exercises to build strength and flexibility in your shoulder joint
- Changing the way you move in everyday life to reduce the impact on your shoulder, such as cycling instead of swimming
There are steps you can take to look after your shoulders and reduce the risk of developing a rotator cuff tear or other similar conditions.
They include:
They include:
- Targeted exercises to build strength in your shoulders
- Maintaining good posture to reduce the strain on your rotator cuff
- Avoiding repetitive overhead movements when possible
- Using the right techniques when you’re lifting or exercising
- Stretching and warming up before exercise or demanding physical activity
Your recovery time will depend on your age, your overall health, the severity of your condition and the way it was treated. For example, physiotherapy can take between 6-12 weeks to create significant improvement, but recovery from surgery can take 4-6 months, with full strength returning in 9-12 months.
Your consultant and specialist team will take you through your recommended treatment in detail, and how long it might take to recover. They’ll create a personalised rehabilitation programme that should get you back to a pain-free life as soon as possible.
Your consultant and specialist team will take you through your recommended treatment in detail, and how long it might take to recover. They’ll create a personalised rehabilitation programme that should get you back to a pain-free life as soon as possible.
Our patient stories
An Olympian effort: Chris’ fast-track to recovery
When Chris was told the surgery he needed on his shoulder would likely make him unable to compete professionally in 2023, Chris dug deep into those reserves and hoped he could excel once more.
Back on track: How surgery helped a visitor from America get free from pain
Brandon Zuck had just arrived in the UK from America. It was the beginning of a holiday he’d been looking forward to, a chance to catch up with friends, a little sightseeing. Needless to say, a complex surgical procedure was not on the must-do list.
Andy’s story: Keeping his music alive after his thumb surgery
After being diagnosed with arthritis by his doctor, Andy was referred to Mr Mark Phillips, a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at London Bridge Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare UK.
“I’m getting stronger and improving my range of motion all the time.”
Reviewed by
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.