A rotator cuff injury is a strain or tear in the group of tendons and muscles that hold your shoulder joint together and help move your shoulder.
A rotator cuff injury may result from:
- Impingement from bone spurs
- Using your arm to break a fall
- Falling onto your arm
- Lifting a heavy object
- Normal wear and tear in an older person
- Use of your shoulder in sports with a repetitive overhead movement, such as swimming, baseball (mainly pitchers), football, and tennis, which gradually strains the tendon
- Manual labor such as painting, plastering, raking leaves, or housework