Rotator cuff injuries range from inflammation and tendinitis to partial and full-thickness tears. They are one of the most common causes of shoulder pain and weakness, affecting daily activities and sleep.
Reviewed byProf Paul Lee MBBch, FRCS (Tr & Orth), PhDLast reviewed 1 May 2026
Rotator cuff injuries exist on a spectrum from mild inflammation to complete tendon rupture.
Rotator cuff injuries may develop gradually or follow a specific injury. Key symptoms include:
Early assessment is valuable because the treatment approach depends on the injury type. Partial tears managed early have better outcomes than those left to progress.
You may have more options than you think
At London Cartilage Clinic we follow a structured clinical framework across four areas of treatment. Before recommending a single procedure, we assess which combination of approaches gives you the best outcome.
Protect what you have. Slow degeneration and manage symptoms.
Fix specific damage. Torn tissue, unstable joints, structural problems.
Rebuild lost tissue. Biological treatments that stimulate new growth.
When other options are exhausted. Joint replacement as a last resort.
Explore the full range of treatments available for your joint. Each hub page shows every option we offer, organised by clinical approach.
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and teres minor) that surround the shoulder joint. They work together to stabilise the ball within the socket and power overhead and rotational movements.
Common signs include pain when lifting the arm, weakness with overhead tasks, night pain on the affected side, and a catching or arc of pain during certain movements. An MRI scan can confirm the type and extent of the injury.
No. Many rotator cuff injuries, including tendinitis and partial tears, respond well to physiotherapy, injection therapy, and activity modification. Surgery is typically reserved for full-thickness tears causing persistent weakness, or tears that have not improved with structured conservative treatment.
We offer physiotherapy-led rehabilitation, targeted injections (steroid, PRP, hyaluronic acid), biological treatments (mFat, BMAC), and arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. The right approach depends on the type of injury, your symptoms, and your functional goals.
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