Rotator Cuff Disorders
What Increases Your Risk
Things that may increase the risk of rotator cuff disorders include:
- Aging.
- Having long-standing rotator cuff tendinitis.
- Holding or moving your arm overhead frequently, such as when you regularly paint; work as a waiter; or play tennis, baseball, and other throwing sports.
- Previous shoulder injuries, such as dislocations and broken bones.
- Having a rotator cuff tear in the other shoulder.
- Irregularities of the muscles, tendons, and bones in the shoulder that increase wear on the rotator cuff tendons.
- Having received multiple Reference corticosteroid Opens New Window injections in the shoulder, which may weaken tendons and increase your risk.
- Smoking, which decreases the blood supply and slows the healing process.
- Shoulder instability.
As the rotator cuff and the shoulder weaken, the risk for a partial or
Reference complete tear Opens New Window Reference 
Opens New Window increases.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference August 7, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Reference Timothy Bhattacharyya, MD |
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