rotator cuff syndrome

Last reviewed 01/2018

The rotator cuff is the sheath of conjoint tendons which run over the top of the shoulder capsule and inserts into the greater tuberosity of the humerus

• the tendons are those of the short muscles of the shoulder - supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis
• the cuff is covered anteriorly by the coracoacromial arch with the subacromial bursa in between
• the main role of the cuff is to stabilise the humeral head within the glenoid, particularly when the arm is flexed or abducted by the deltoid muscle

The rotator cuff syndrome encompasses a spectrum of disease ranging from mild tendinitis to complete tendon rupture. A common feature to many of these conditions is the chronic "impingement" of the cuff under the acromial arch when the arm is held in the "impingement position" - abducted, flexed and internally rotated.

• rotator cuff impingement syndrome
  • rotator cuff muscle tendons pass through a narrow space between the acromion process of the scapula and the head of the humerus
    • symptoms include pain, weakness and loss of motion
    • anything which causes further narrowing of this space can result in impingement syndrome
      • causes include
        • bony structures such as subacromial spurs (bony projections from the acromion), osteoarthritic spurs on the acromioclavicular joint, and variations in the shape of the acromion
        • thickening or calcification of the coracoacromial ligament
        • loss of function of the rotator cuff muscles, due to injury or loss of strength, may cause the humerus to move superiorly, and cause impingement
        • inflammation and subsequent thickening of the subacromial bursa
  • clinical features
    • pain, weakness and loss of motion are the most common symptoms reported
      • pain is exacerbated by overhead or above-the-shoulder activities
      • a frequent complaint is night pain, often disturbing sleep, particularly when the patient lies on the affected shoulder
    • onset of symptoms may be acute, following an injury, or insidious, particularly in older patients, where no specific injury occurs
    • there may be a grinding or popping sensation during movement of the shoulde
    • range of movement may be limited by pain
    • a painful arc of movement may be present during forward elevation of the arm from 60° to 120°
    • passive movement at the shoulder will appear painful when a downwards force is applied at the acromion but the pain will ease once the downwards force is removed
      
      
  • click here for a video of examination of the rotator cuff

Tendinitis tends to affect younger people than rupture since degeneration and attrition are more advanced in old age. Rupture may also occur independently of impingement.

Notes:

• within the rotator cuff, supraspinatus is the cuff tendon most liable to injury. It is the most exposed of the tendons - running over the top of the shoulder under the anterior edge of the acromion and the adjacent acromioclavicular joint - and also has a relatively poor arterial blood supply near to it's insertion into the greater tuberosity. Consequently, `supraspinatus' is often used synonymously with `rotator cuff' when describing lesions of this area

Reference:

• 1) Br J Sports Med. 2009 Apr;43(4):259-64
• 2) Fongemie AE, Buss DD, Rolnick SJ. Management of shoulder impingement syndrome and rotator cuff tears.Am Fam Physician. 1998 Feb 15;57(4):667-74, 680-2.
• 3) ARC (2010). Topical reviews - managing rotator cuff disorders.