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HomeAbout Prognosis and impactsPrognosis Lethality Pain Debilitation Comfort Curability Fertility and pregnancy Independence Mobility Daily activities Energy Diet Relationships Other impacts Incidence and risk factorsSymptomsCauses and effectsDiagnosis and evaluation Management and treatment CopingResearchConclusion

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Shoulder arthritis and rotator cuff tears: The combination of arthritis and rotator cuff tears is called rotator cuff tear arthropathy. The management of this condition requires thought and experience.

Edited By: Frederick A. Matsen III, M.D., Winston J. Warme, MD
Last updated Wednesday, October 28, 2009

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Prognosis and impacts

Prognosis

Rotator cuff tear arthropathy (or shoulder arthritis with a large rotator cuff tear) is a chronic condition that does not heal or improve by itself. It is progressive in that over time the bone of the ball of the shoulder (humeral head) and the overlying structures (the acromion and the coracoacromial ligament) become progressively eroded. When severe, special surgical procedures, such as a prosthetic replacement with at CTA head or a reverse Delta (reversed) prosthesis may be indicated in contrast to management with a total shoulder joint replacement.

Lethality

Rotator cuff tear arthropathy (or shoulder arthritis with a large rotator cuff tear) is not a lethal condition.

Pain

Rotator cuff tear arthropathy (or shoulder arthritis with a large rotator cuff tear) frequently causes pain and limited use of the arm.

Debilitation

Rotator cuff tear arthropathy (or shoulder arthritis with a large rotator cuff tear) is progressive and as the condition worsens, the shoulder becomes weaker, more painful and less useful.

Comfort

Most individuals with rotator cuff tear arthropathy (or shoulder arthritis with a large rotator cuff tear) have discomfort, especially at night and when attempting to use the arm.

Curability

Rotator cuff tear arthropathy (or shoulder arthritis with a large rotator cuff tear) is not curable. The degeneration of the rotator cuff and joint surface cannot be reversed.

Fertility and pregnancy

Rotator cuff tear arthropathy (or shoulder arthritis with a large rotator cuff tear) usually occurs in individuals well past the childbearing age.

Independence

Rotator cuff tear arthropathy (or shoulder arthritis with a large rotator cuff tear) can severely limit the use of the arm to the point that the individual cannot use it in caring for themselves or in performing activities of daily living.

Mobility

Rotator cuff tear arthropathy (or shoulder arthritis with a large rotator cuff tear) reduces the individual’s ability to move the arm. It reduces the strength and the comfort of these movements.

Daily activities

Persons with rotator cuff tear arthropathy (or shoulder arthritis with a large rotator cuff tear) often have difficulty with sports, housework and other activities of daily living.

Energy

Rotator cuff tear arthropathy (or shoulder arthritis with a large rotator cuff tear) is usually accompanied by fatigue of the involved shoulder.

Diet

Rotator cuff tear arthropathy (or shoulder arthritis with a large rotator cuff tear) is unaffected by diet.

Relationships

Rotator cuff tear arthropathy (or shoulder arthritis with a large rotator cuff tear) may make sleeping, hugging, dancing and other social activities difficult.

Other impacts

Rotator cuff tear arthropathy (or shoulder arthritis with a large rotator cuff tear) is not contagious. Swelling of the shoulder often associated with this condition may be disfiguring.

Surgery for rotator cuff tear arthropathy (shoulder arthritis with a massive rotator cuff tear) at the University of Washington, Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Seattle, Washington

If you are interested in making an appointment to discuss this procedure in Seattle, you can request an appointment using our online referrals website. To request a referral online, please click here. You can also call 206-598-BONE (2663) to make an appointment. Our clinical center is located in Seattle Washington, USA

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