Which history and physical findings are most useful in identifying rotator cuff tears?
Recommendations
A textbook published by The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons describes a continuum of injuries from impingement syndrome to full-thickness rotator cuff tears that commonly present as anterior and lateral shoulder pain and are often associated with night pain.4 Atrophy of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles may indicate a longstanding rotator cuff tear. The authors’ recommendations for clinical examination include performing the Neer and Hawkins-Kennedy tests before and after subacromial injection with a local anesthetic and testing for weakness of the supraspinatus tendon.
,Conservative management is recommended by the authors for patients with any rotator cuff tear, except for acute tears in younger patients.5
Acknowledgments
The opinions and assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Medical Department of the US Navy or the US Naval Service at large.
