Mayo Clinic Health Manager
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Get StartedSymptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffRotator cuff injury symptoms may include:
- Pain and tenderness in your shoulder, especially when reaching overhead, reaching behind your back, lifting, pulling or sleeping on the affected side
- Shoulder weakness
- Loss of shoulder range of motion
- Inclination to keep your shoulder inactive
The most common symptom is pain. You may experience it when you reach up to comb your hair, bend your arm back to put on a jacket or carry something heavy. Lying on the affected shoulder also can be painful. If you have a severe injury, such as a large tear, you may experience continuous pain and muscle weakness.
When to see a doctor
You should see your doctor if:
- You're experiencing severe shoulder pain
- You're unable to use your arm
- You have shoulder pain that's lasted more than a week