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Rotator Cuff Tear Arthropathy (Cuff Arthropathy)
Rotator cuff tear arthropathy is a severe shoulder condition where a long-standing massive rotator cuff tear causes the shoulder ball to migrate upward and develop arthritis from rubbing against the acromion bone, resulting in severe pain, inability to lift the arm (pseudoparalysis), and shoulder weakness - it occurs in about 4-20% of patients with massive chronic rotator cuff tears and typically requires reverse shoulder replacement surgery for pain relief and functional improvement.
đWhat is Rotator Cuff Tear Arthropathy (Cuff Arthropathy)?
Rotator cuff tear arthropathy is a severe shoulder condition where a long-standing massive rotator cuff tear causes the shoulder ball to migrate upward and develop arthritis from rubbing against the acromion bone, resulting in severe pain, inability to lift the arm (pseudoparalysis), and shoulder weakness - it occurs in about 4-20% of patients with massive chronic rotator cuff tears and typically requires reverse shoulder replacement surgery for pain relief and functional improvement.
đŦWhat Causes It?
- Long-standing massive rotator cuff tear (3 or more tendons torn) left untreated for years
- Failed rotator cuff repair with re-tear and progression to arthritis
- Chronic rotator cuff tear in elderly patient progressing over 5-10+ years to arthropathy
- Superior migration of humeral head (shoulder ball rides up) causing abnormal contact and wear against acromion
â ī¸Risk Factors
You may be at higher risk if:
- Age over 65 years (chronic tears more common, less likely to seek early repair)
- Massive rotator cuff tear left untreated for more than 5-10 years
- Previous failed rotator cuff surgery with persistent large tear
- Chronic shoulder pain and weakness ignored or managed only with pain medications
- Poor healing potential (smoking, diabetes, poor nutrition delay tendon healing)
đĄī¸Prevention
- âTreat rotator cuff tears early before they become massive and irreparable
- âIf diagnosed with large rotator cuff tear, consider surgical repair before muscles waste away (fatty infiltration)
- âMaintain shoulder strength with regular exercises if you have small/medium cuff tear not suitable for surgery
- âDon't ignore persistent shoulder pain and weakness - early evaluation can prevent progression to arthropathy