Shoulder pain is one of the most common reasons people visit an orthopaedic clinic in Singapore, and rotator cuff tears are often the culprit. The rotator cuff is a group of tendons that help you lift and rotate your arm. When these tendons are damaged, the severity of the tear—whether partial or complete—plays a big role in deciding the right treatment.
Partial vs Complete Tear
A partial tear means the tendon is frayed or damaged but not fully detached. A complete tear (also called a full‑thickness tear) means the tendon has pulled away from the bone entirely. Partial tears are often linked to wear‑and‑tear over time, while complete tears may follow sudden injuries such as a fall or heavy lifting.
Symptoms You Might Notice
Both partial and complete tears can cause pain, weakness, and difficulty lifting the arm. Night pain is especially common. Some patients also notice clicking or catching when moving the shoulder.
Treatment Options in Singapore
For small or low‑grade partial tears, non‑surgical treatment is usually the first step. This may include rest, anti‑inflammatory medication, physiotherapy, and sometimes steroid injections. Many patients improve with these measures.
However, for high‑grade partial tears—where more than 50–90% of the tendon thickness is involved—surgery may be recommended. The reason is that such tears behave almost like complete tears, and leaving them untreated can lead to progression into a full tear. Arthroscopic repair is commonly performed in Singapore for these cases.
For complete tears, surgery is often necessary. Without repair, the shoulder may remain weak and painful, limiting daily activities. Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is the standard approach, and in severe cases, tendon transfer or even shoulder replacement may be considered.
Why Severity Matters
The key difference is that partial tears still leave some tendon fibers intact, so conservative treatment can work if the tear is small. But once the tear is large or complete, surgery is usually the only way to restore strength and prevent long‑term disability.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
After surgery, patients typically wear a sling for several weeks, followed by physiotherapy to regain motion and strength. Recovery can take 6–12 months, but most patients return to normal activities with proper rehabilitation.
Takeaway
In Singapore, the treatment of a rotator cuff tear depends on how severe it is. Small partial tears may heal with physiotherapy, but high‑grade partial tears and complete tears often need surgical repair. If you have persistent shoulder pain or weakness, an orthopaedic consultation with imaging is the best way to determine the severity and plan the right treatment.
