Torn left rotator cuff

[Dave46]

I am a 28 year old male who used to lift weights regularly but over 6 months ago I tore my left rotator cuff because the handles on the bench press machine were too far back. I get pain in my left shoulder when I do any overhead lifting and it is more difficult to raise and lower my left arm and shakier. Physical therapy did not help me. Will my rotator cuff tear heal on its own or do I require surgery to be able to return back to overhead lifting? Thank you.

[Michael L Gross, MD]

How was the tear diagnosed? Was it a full thickness tear, or a partial thickness tear?
If it was full thickness, theses don not heal on their own. In a young active person, who still has pain and weakness after 6 months, and has failed physical therapy, surgery to repair the torn tendon is often the next step.

[Dave46]

Hi Dr. Gross,

Thank you for your response. Actually I have not gotten an MRI yet to diagnose the size of the tear but I believe it is a partial thickness tear since I was told I would not be able to raise my arm at all if it was a full thickness tear. So what you are saying is if it is a partial thickness tear, it will eventually heal on its own?

Dave46