Rotator cuff tears (Partial and full thickness)
A rotator cuff tear occurs when one or more of the tendons connecting the shoulder blade to the upper arm become damaged, resulting in shoulder pain, weakness, and restricted movement.
What causes a rotator cuff tear?
Tears are caused by age-related degeneration or acute trauma: Degenerative wear and tear: Tendons naturally lose their elasticity and blood supply as we age. Chronic repetitive stress, common in tennis players, weightlifters, rowers, and manual laborers, causes progressive fraying over time. Shoulder impingement and bone spurs: Over time, smooth bone projections (osteophytes) can develop on the underside of the acromion, narrowing the subacromial space. These spurs rub against the rotator cuff tendon during arm elevation, leading to tears. Acute trauma: A sudden fall onto an outstretched hand, a direct blow to the shoulder, or jerking the arm while lifting a heavy object.
Common symptoms
- Pain when lifting, lowering, or rotating the arm, especially above shoulder height
- Persistent night pain, making it difficult to sleep on the affected side
- Weakness in the shoulder, making daily tasks, such as washing hair or reaching behind your back, difficult
- A snapping sensation or sudden, sharp weakness if the tear is caused by an acute injury
- A cracking, clicking, or grating sensation (crepitus) when moving the shoulder
How is a rotator cuff tear diagnosed?
Diagnosing a rotator cuff tear involves a detailed physical examination by your consultant to evaluate your joint range of movement, muscle strength, and specific pain triggers while checking for related issues such as cervical nerve compression.
How is it treated?
Treatment depends on the size and age of the tear, your symptoms, functional demands, and overall health.
Treatment routes for Rotator cuff tears
Many partial tears and small degenerative tears in older or less active individuals respond well to non-operative care. Treatment includes resting the joint, taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) under medical guidance, and completing a targeted physical therapy program to strengthen the remaining intact rotator cuff muscles. Subacromial corticosteroid injections may be offered to calm severe pain and inflammation to facilitate exercise.
Recovery from a rotator cuff tear
Protection and immobilisation
Your arm will be supported in a shoulder sling at all times (including while sleeping) to protect the repair. Focus on keeping surgical dressings clean and dry, alongside gentle hand, wrist, and finger movements. Stitches are checked or removed around 10 to 14 days.
Controlled passive mobility
You will gradually discontinue the sling under your physiotherapist’s direction. Passive range-of-motion exercises begin, where the arm is supported and moved without engaging your shoulder muscles, preventing joint stiffness while protecting the tendon.
Active movement and light strengthening
Active movements (using your own muscle power) are reintroduced as healing progresses. Guided light resistance training focuses on rebuilding rotator cuff and scapular strength.
Full functional recovery and sports clearance
Rehabilitation shifts toward advanced strength conditioning, overhead mobility, and sport-specific movements. Return to heavy manual labor, racquet sports, and swimming typically occurs between 4 and 6 months post-surgery.
Working with professionals and teams
Our shoulder specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their shoulders. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Shoulder Treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
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