[Click! Health] Shoulder Pain Overlooked, Suspect 'Hoejeonggeongae Pareol' (Rotator Cuff Tear)

[Image source=Pixabay]

The rotator cuff, composed of four tendons?the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and teres minor?surrounds the shoulder joint. When one or more of these tendons are torn, it is diagnosed as a 'rotator cuff tear.' Although it is commonly known as a degenerative disease occurring in individuals aged 50 and above, it has recently been appearing frequently in younger populations as well.

The problem with rotator cuff tears is that initially, the pain is not severe and there is little restriction in joint movement, making it easy to neglect. However, if the torn tissue is left untreated for a long time and the opportunity for treatment is missed, symptoms gradually worsen and can eventually lead to shoulder arthritis. Therefore, once symptoms are felt, it is important to promptly undergo precise diagnosis using diagnostic tools such as X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and then establish a treatment plan.

Dr. Ha Hae-chan, an orthopedic surgeon at Barunbon Hospital, explained, “I often see patients who miss the treatment window without realizing their rotator cuff is torn. If left untreated, the torn area can enlarge, leading to deformation of surrounding ligaments or tendons, and in severe cases, the shoulder tendons can stiffen and progress to a complete tear. Therefore, if you feel shoulder pain, you should visit an orthopedic clinic as soon as possible.”

Treatment methods for rotator cuff tears vary depending on symptoms and the extent of the tear. Major symptoms include ▲discomfort when lifting the arm above the shoulder ▲pain that is worse when lying down than when standing ▲a stabbing or aching pain in the shoulder ▲a burning sensation around the shoulder ▲pain that worsens at night causing awakening from sleep ▲and a gradual weakening of arm strength. If the pain is mild and the tear is minor, conservative treatments such as physical therapy and medication are applied. However, if pain persists despite these treatments or daily activities become difficult, surgical treatment to repair the torn area should be considered.

Ha Hae-chan, Director of Orthopedics at Bareunbon Hospital
[Photo by Bareunbon Hospital]

Dr. Ha stated, “Since rotator cuff tears rarely heal naturally, it is important to establish a treatment plan after an accurate diagnosis. For extensive tears, surgical treatment is performed using arthroscopy, which involves an incision of less than 1 cm, resulting in minimal bleeding and is done under local anesthesia, making it a low-burden procedure even for elderly patients or those with underlying conditions.” Arthroscopic surgery is a treatment method where an arthroscope equipped with a miniature camera of 2 to 4 mm is inserted through a skin incision of less than 1 cm. It allows for diagnosis and treatment simultaneously and can detect and treat lesions that are not visible on MRI. Additionally, due to the small incision size, there is less scarring and postoperative pain, and patients can return to daily life relatively quickly.