What is a hallmark sign of a rotator cuff tear?

A hallmark sign of a rotator cuff tear is weakness in shoulder abduction. The rotator cuff consists of a group of muscles and their associated tendons that help stabilize the shoulder and facilitate movement. When there is a tear in any of these muscles, particularly the supraspinatus, which is primarily responsible for initiating shoulder abduction, it leads to a significant loss of strength when lifting the arm away from the body.

Patients with a rotator cuff tear often report difficulty lifting their arm above their head or performing overhead activities due to this weakness. This symptom is particularly pronounced during tasks that require the arm to be raised laterally or in any position that engages the muscles of the rotator cuff.

Swelling in the joint is not specific to a rotator cuff tear and can occur in various shoulder injuries or conditions. Pain in the wrist may not be directly related to a shoulder issue and often indicates problems elsewhere in the upper extremity. Difficulty in forearm rotation typically involves the elbow or wrist joints and is not characteristic of a rotator cuff injury. Therefore, the presence of weakness in shoulder abduction is a clear and defining feature of a rotator cuff tear.