If you have shoulder pain and cannot move your arms fully, you may have a torn rotator cuff. If the pain goes untreated for an extended period of time, you can develop a condition called cuff tear arthropathy.
“This type of shoulder arthritis occurs when a large rotator cuff tendon tear isn’t treated,” says Orthopedic Surgeon Steven J. Hospodar, M.D., with Riverside Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Specialists Gloucester. “When you tear one of the four rotator cuff tendons, it can no longer wrap around the ball portion of your shoulder joint. Since those tendons hold your shoulder in place, if one or more is heavily torn, it can cause your bones to rub against each other, eventually resulting in arthritis.”
Dr. Hospodar describes how cuff tear arthropathy is diagnosed and how it’s treated.
Diagnosing your shoulder pain
If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, stiffness and a limited range of motion, your doctor may suspect shoulder arthritis.
“There are several types of shoulder arthritis, so the first thing we’ll do is examine your shoulder,” says Dr. Hospodar. “We’re looking for weak muscles, if it’s tender to the touch, how much you can move your shoulder and the amount of pain you feel when we put pressure on your shoulder. To determine if your specific arthritis is caused by a chronically torn rotator cuff, we’d also need to confirm an injury to at least one of your tendons.”
You may also receive X-rays or your doctor might inject a local anesthetic into your shoulder. If the injection temporarily relieves the pain, it helps to confirm the diagnosis.
Why do I need surgery for cuff tear arthropathy?
“If you are diagnosed with cuff tear arthropathy, the only treatment is surgery,” says Dr. Hospodar. “The reason is simple – you’ve lost the tendons in your rotator cuff and your muscles can no longer move your arm. Unfortunately, rest, physical therapy or other non-surgical treatments will not be able to restore your torn tendons or muscle function.”
The surgery you will receive is called total shoulder replacement. During this two-hour procedure, your surgeon will replace your shoulder joint with an artificial device.
Preparing for surgery
It will take several weeks to recover from this surgery, so prepare in advance. If you live alone, you may need to hire someone to assist you or plan a stay in a rehabilitation facility.
Here are some suggestions to make life easier at home as you recover:
- Place anything you may need on low shelves or counters
- Prepare foods ahead of time
- Confirm you’ll have help for bathing, dressing and laundry
Recovering from your total shoulder replacement
You will need to stay in the hospital for two or three days where you’ll receive medication to help with pain. When you’re able to go home or to a rehabilitation facility, your arm will be in a sling. It will be several weeks before you can take care of yourself, so you’ll need help with activities like preparing meals and getting dressed.
“After you’ve gone through rehabilitation, you’ll have more movement in your shoulder and elbow than before,” says Dr. Hospodar. “And, once you’ve fully recovered, you’ll enjoy a pain-free life.”
To learn if your shoulder pain is due to a cuff tear arthropathy, schedule an appointment with your doctor.
