Cuff Tear Arthropathy

What is Cuff Tear Arthropathy: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Options

Cuff-tear arthropathy is an arthritic condition that occurs when you have a large rotator cuff tear for a continuous period of time. It is the combination of a massive rotator cuff tear and the collapse of the surface of the upper arm bone (humerus) due to osteoporosis (form of arthritis where joint cartilage begins to wear away due to accident or natural aging process)

Symptoms of Cuff Tear Arthropathy

Cuff Tear Arthropathy patients normally feel severe pain in the shoulder. When cuff tear arthropathy is present, the shoulder and arms may be very difficult to raise and rotate. You most likely have already been diagnosed as having a rotator cuff tear. In most cases, when a rotator cuff tear is present, there may be a visual distortion, changing the way the shoulder normally looks.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options

Non-surgical treatment options may be suggested for less severe cases of cuff tear arthropathy. Your doctor will carefully consider factors such as age, health status and activity level before determining the appropriate treatment method.
These treatments include: rest, careful use of the shoulder, anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics.

Treatment Options

If non-surgical treatment options fail to provide adequate pain relief, shoulder arthroplasty may be suggested. Surgery is usually recommended to repair a complete tear in the tendons resulting in an inability to raise your arm.