I have been diagnosed with a full thickness tear in supraspinatus anteriorly (with an ultrasound and x-rays) in left and right shoulder. What does it mean in plain english. Can you explain what a muscle and tendon does? IE Where the ball of your arm goes into the shoulder cup and rotates there are muscles and tendons that hold it in place. How many muscles and tendons are holding this in place? Which muscles or tendons are torn? I have pain and take pain killers to sleep at night.
HiT hank you for asking Chat Doctor. I have gone through your query. You are most likely having a rotator cuff tear. These are four muscles which support the shoulder joint. Without their support the joint is very weak. These muscles are supraspinatus, infraspinatus, tears minor and subscapularis muscles. In your case supraspinatus muscle is injured in full thickness tear. It has a function of abducting(away from the body) the arm against shoulder. If the tear is mild then conservative treatment, rest and physiotherapy will work. If full thickness tear then arthroscopic or open surgical repair should be considered. Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything is not clear. Thanks.