The Science of Rotator Cuff Injuries

The rotator cuff consists of four muscles that stabilize and move your shoulder. These tendons can be injured through sudden trauma or gradual wear. The tendon tissue becomes disorganized and may develop tears. Poor blood supply to certain areas of these tendons makes healing slower. Shoulder blade positioning and muscle imbalances often contribute to ongoing irritation. Rotator cuff injuries frequently occur alongside shoulder impingement, as both conditions share similar biomechanical contributors. In some cases, rotator cuff dysfunction can lead to compensatory patterns that contribute to frozen shoulder or shoulder instability.