Rotator Cuff Tear and Frozen Shoulder - How Are the Two Different?

Shoulder pain can be debilitating, affecting daily activities and quality of life. Two commonly confused conditions—rotator cuff tear and frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)—have distinct causes, symptoms, and treatments. This article provides a comparative analysis to help differentiate between them and guide you toward the right treatment approach.

Frozen Shoulder vs Rotator Cuff

A frozen shoulder is often confused with the rotator cuff. However, both conditions have a significant difference. Rotator cuff patients can lift their shoulders without assistance. In contrast, with frozen shoulders, patients face difficulty in raising their shoulders by themselves.

Quick Comparison: Rotator Cuff Tear vs. Frozen Shoulder

What is a Rotator Cuff Tear?

A rotator cuff tear occurs when the tendons stabilizing the shoulder joint are torn, either partially or completely. It is primarily caused by trauma, repetitive stress, or degeneration with age. Common symptoms include:

• Sudden or gradual pain, worsening at night
• Weakness when lifting or rotating the arm
• Clicking or popping sensation in the shoulder

The shoulder joint is bounded by a group of muscles called the rotator cuff. These muscles work in tandem with tendons to make the shoulder joint stable so that you can move your arms easily. In other words, they are extremely crucial for the proper functioning of the shoulder joint.

A tear in the rotator cuff can happen in two ways:

• Partial Tear: In partial tear, the tendon is partially damaged.
• Complete Tear: In complete tear, the tendon is pulled off the bone completely, causing severe damage to the shoulder.

What is a Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is a condition where the shoulder joint capsule thickens and tightens, leading to severe stiffness and pain. This condition often develops after prolonged immobility due to injury or surgery and is more common in diabetics and individuals with thyroid disorders.

As a result, you find moving your arm or shoulder difficult. Additionally, it leads to the loss of synovial fluid, which plays a crucial role in keeping the joint lubricated for smooth movement.

Phases of Frozen Shoulder

1. Freezing Stage: Increasing pain and stiffness (4–9 months)
2. Frozen Stage: Severe movement restriction, reduced pain (4–12 months)
3. Thawing Stage: Gradual improvement in mobility (6 months–2 years)

For a detailed understanding of frozen shoulder, check out our dedicated blog on Frozen Shoulder: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment.

Key Differences in Treatment Approach

While both conditions affect shoulder movement, their treatments differ significantly:

• Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment aims at strengthening the shoulder and possibly repairing torn tendons.
• Frozen Shoulder Treatment focuses on restoring mobility through stretching, physical therapy, and sometimes medical interventions like hydrodilation or manipulation under anesthesia.

When to See a Doctor?

If you experience persistent shoulder pain, weakness, or restricted movement, seek medical advice from an orthopaedic doctor to determine the correct diagnosis and treatment plan.

Shoulder pain can sometimes be linked to arthritis, making it important to understand the Causes of Arthritis, Arthritis Types, Arthritis Symptoms, and how an Arthritis Diet can help manage inflammation and joint health.

Conclusion

Understanding the differences between a rotator cuff tear and frozen shoulder is crucial for proper management. If you're experiencing symptoms, consulting an orthopaedic surgeon early can help prevent long-term mobility issues and ensure a faster recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can a Torn Rotator Cuff Be Misdiagnosed As a Frozen Shoulder?

A proper physical frozen shoulder test is enough to perform the correct diagnosis of the disease. Although both conditions concern shoulder movement, in frozen shoulders, patients can not increase their range of motion even with external assistance.

2. Is a Frozen Shoulder Worse Than Rotator Cuff?

In the rotator cuff, patients experience shoulder pain, but they can perform the movement without assistance. However, patients with frozen shoulders face extreme difficulty performing regular tasks, even with help.

3. How Does It Feel in a Partially Torn Rotator Cuff?

In a partially torn rotator cuff, patients experience shoulder pain while lifting objects. They feel a popping sensation or clicking sound while moving their arms. The shoulder pain increases while a patient sleeps or rests.

4. How Do You Tell If The Rotator Cuff is Torn or Strained?

Both conditions limit the arm's free movement by causing severe pain. However, in rotator cuff tearing, the tendon completely separates from the shoulder bone, forming a hole. The tendon stretches but remains attached to the bone in a strained rotator cuff.

5. Does a Torn Rotator Cuff Hurt All The Time?

A torn rotator cuff does not hurt all the time. However, people generally feel sharp pain while sleeping, performing specific arm movements, or lifting objects.

6. Can You See The Frozen Shoulder on MRI?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging, commonly known as MRI, is a method to diagnose cancer, torn ligaments, gallstones, etc. This diagnosis method provides an excellent way to diagnose frozen shoulders.

7. What Vitamin is Good for Frozen Shoulder?

However, physical therapy and other treatment methods are effective. But, omega-3 fatty acids and supplements like glucosamine are beneficial. Along with this, Vitamin D is good for frozen shoulders.

8. What Can Be Mistaken for Frozen Shoulder?

Rotator cuff injuries, arthritis, bursitis, and cervical radiculopathy can mimic frozen shoulder symptoms.

9. How can you tell the difference between shoulder tendonitis and a rotator cuff tear?

Shoulder tendonitis causes dull, aching pain with movement but no significant weakness. A rotator cuff tear results in sharp pain, even at rest, and noticeable weakness when lifting the arm. Tendonitis allows near-normal movement, while a tear can severely limit mobility. Imaging tests like an MRI confirm the diagnosis.

10. How to differentiate between frozen shoulder and impingement?

Frozen shoulder leads to severe stiffness and restricted movement in all directions, while impingement mainly causes pain with overhead motions. Frozen shoulder develops gradually, while impingement results from repetitive movements. Pain in the frozen shoulder is deep and diffuse, whereas impingement pain is sharp and felt on the outer shoulder.