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The rotator cuff is a set of four muscles and tendons that attaches the bone of your upper arm to the shoulder blade. These groups of muscles facilitate movement and maintain stability in your shoulder joint. But sometimes, because of overusing, strain, and aging, a common type of injury occurs called rotator cuff tears that lead to pain and disabilities. However, there are some other shoulder conditions that show symptoms similar to rotator cuff tears.

Different shoulder conditions that show symptoms the same as rotator cuff tears

Biceps tendinitis

The tendons present in your biceps are attached to the shoulder joint. Sometimes it is inflamed and becomes painful, leading to pain in the front part of the shoulder that might go down toward the arm. Such a condition is mistaken as a rotator cuff tear, leading to weakness and difficulties with several overhead activities.

Shoulder impingement syndrome

Shoulder impingement happens when the tendons’ bursae in the shoulder are compacted between the bones in the shoulder joint. This results in pain and decreased motion. These symptoms can be mistaken for a rotator cuff tear, but the pain caused by shoulder impingement is diffuse and not sharp, like the pain caused by a rotator cuff tear.

Frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that happens when the capsule present in the connective tissues that cover the shoulder joint becomes thick or stiff. The symptoms caused by a frozen shoulder are almost similar to those caused by a rotator cuffs tear, such as pain, less motion, and stiffness but a frozen shoulder progress in three stages: freezing, frozen, and thawing. In the freezing stage, the shoulder becomes very stiff and painful, and then during the frozen phase, the pain starts decreasing, but stiffness will be there. During the thawing stage, stiffness also decreases, and normal motion starts.

Labral tears

The labrum is the cartilage ring that covers the shoulder socket offering stability to the shoulder joint. When it is torn, it results in pain, instability and weakness in the shoulder joint. All these symptoms are the same as those caused by rotator cuff tears.

Arthritis

It is a condition that leads to inflammation and damage in the joints. When this arthritis affects your shoulder joint, it results in pain, decreased motion, and stiffness. These symptoms caused by arthritis can be mistaken as caused by rotator cuff tears. The only difference is pain caused by arthritis is diffused and not as sharp.

Bursitis

Bursae are tiny sacs filled with fluids that act like a cushion to the tendons and bones present in the shoulder joint. Inflammation of these sacs can result in pain and decreased motion. Bursitis is caused by trauma, infection, and overuse; its symptoms are the same as rotator cuff tears.

Tendinitis

Tendons are strong cords that attach the muscles to the bones. When these tendons are irritated or inflamed because of trauma, overusing or aging, it results in tendinitis. Its symptoms, such as pain and decreased motion, are the same as rotator cuff tears.

Conclusion

So, with these shoulder conditions showing symptoms the same as rotator cuff tears, it isn’t easy to differentiate. But many imaging tests like X-rays, ultrasound, and MRI assist in differentiating different conditions and deciding about the treatment required. Usually, treatment involves taking anti-inflammation medicines, rest, physical therapy and sometimes surgery. It is vital to get medical attention whenever you get pain, less motion, and weakness in your shoulders, as timely intervention can assist in preventing disabilities and damage.

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