Supraspinatus Tendon Tear: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options

Supraspinatus is one muscle out of four which makes up the rotator cuff. The others are infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. Supraspinatus tendon is a thick band of fiber which connects the muscle to the bone in the shoulder joint.

Supraspinatus muscle helps shoulder movement as it is attached to the shoulder blade. Shouder joint is made up of three bones, a part of shoulder blade, humerus, and collar bone. Tear and injury to supraspinatus tendon causes pain in shoulder and difficulty in lifting the shoulder.

Although degeneration due to aging is often the cause of supraspinatus tendon damage, it can also occur due to trauma, especially while playing sports.

Most cases of supraspinatus tendon tear are treated conservatively, but sometimes surgical correction may be necessary.

What Causes Supraspinatus Tendon Tear?

Of all the four tendons that make up rotator cuff, supraspinatus tendon is one of the most frequently affected because of its anatomical location. It passes underneath the acromion process and inserts to the head of humerus. Microscopic tear of supraspinatus tendon occasionally occur as a consequence of aging process. Degeneration of tissue fiber of suprasipnatus tendon is gradual in onset and may take time to produce symptoms.

Aside from degenerative tears caused due to aging and wear and tear, there are other reasons that may be responsible for suprspinatus tendon tear.

Injury to the arm can cause supraspinatus tear. Falling down on outstretched arm, or lifting heavy with a sudden jerk, there is risk of tendon being torn from its insertion site.

Bone spur, poor blood supply, and repeated stress caused due to same shoulder motion can lead to supraspinatus tendon tear. Sports persons who lift heavy weight, tennis players, baseball players, painters, carpenters, who do overhead work are at great risk of suffering from supraspinatus tendon tear.

Symptoms Of Supraspinatus Tendon Tear

The most common symptom of supraspinatus tendon tear are:

  • Pain in shoulder especially while taking rest or during sleep. Pain is aggravated by lying on the affected site.
  • Pain in shoulder when lifting your arm above the head.
  • Person may not be able to lift his arm above the head due to weakness in muscles as well as pain.
  • Peculiar crackling sound when moving the shoulder in particular direction. For example when leaning your elbow on an arm chair.
  • Swelling in shoulder joint if tear is severe.

Treatment Options For Supraspinatus Tendon Tear

Most people with supraspinatus tendon tear are treated conservatively with medication and rest. However, if the tear is intense and affects movement of shoulder or causes severe weakness may need surgical repair.

  • Rest is essential part of conservative treatment for supraspinatus tendon tear. More than half the patients feel relieved after giving rest to the affected arm over a period of time. Rest provides time for the torn tendon and ligament to heal on its own. Applying ice over the shoulder joint will help in reducing inflamtion and pain. Although some patients find reduced pain and swelling, strength in arm may not improve with rest and ice. Such patients may need surgical repair in order to improve strength.
  • Anti inflammatory NSAIDs medicines provide relief in pain and swelling. However, due to their side effects they cannot be taken for long period. Person suffering from supraspinatus tendon tear or damage need to consult their doctor before taking such medicines.
  • Physical therapy and muscle strengthening exercises are beneficial for improving flexibility in movement of arm and increasing the range of motion.
  • Corticosteroid injection may be useful if rest, medication and physiotherapy do not relieve pain. Steroid injection is given locally to reduce inflammation and pain.

Lastly if all the measures fail surgical repair of the torn tendon is an alternative to reduce pain and improve movement of arm. Corrective surgery is especially important for people who actively participate in sports.