Case Example 4: Massive Rotator Cuff Tear and Patient-Specific Rehabilitation in Sportsmen

Abstract

Rotator cuff tears are a common cause of shoulder pain and dysfunction. Almost 30% of people experienced shoulder pain at some stage of their lives (Van der Heijden, Baillieres Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 13:287–309, 1999). For people over 65 years of age shoulder pain is the most common musculoskeletal problem (Taylor, N Z Med J 118:U1629, 2005). In young patients, typically, tears are attributed to repetitive overuse in the overhead throwing athlete. Tears usually occur in the supraspinatus tendon and extend posteriorly into the infraspinatus tendon. Although less common, traumatic shoulder injuries can result in significant rotator cuff contusion and tears in younger patients (Dodson et al., J Shoulder Elbow Surg 19:e9–e12, 2010). We present the evaluation, arthroscopic treatment, and postsurgical care of a rotator cuff tear in a sportsman.