The rotator cuff is a collection of muscles and tendons that cover the head of the humerus, forming a cuff over the shoulder. When the rotator cuff tear occurs, the tendons are ripped away from the bone, either partially or entirely. 

• Partial-thickness tear: an incomplete tear where the tendon is damaged but not completely severed from the bone
• Full-thickness tear: a complete tear where the tendon entirely separates from the bone

Partial-thickness and full-thickness tears happen in either two ways: 

• Acute tear: this tear occurs in a sudden moment, such as lifting something too heavy.
• Degenerative tear: these tears develop gradually over time, most commonly due to old age, repetitive stress, or lack of blood supply. 

Partial rotator cuff tears may be treatable with physical therapy alone. However, surgery may be recommended when symptoms have persisted for over six months, if the tear is larger than three centimeters, if you are a competitive athlete, or if there is a significant loss of shoulder function.

Surgery can be an open repair or a more minimally invasive procedure utilizing an arthroscope. Following any kind of rotator cuff surgery, you will need to manage your pain, care for the incision site and complete rehabilitation exercises with a physical therapist. 

Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, can cause pain and stiffness in the shoulder that makes movement very difficult or uncomfortable. There are three stages to a frozen shoulder. 

1. Freezing: Takes about six weeks to nine months, where you slowly have more and more pain, lessening your range of motion.
2. Frozen: Although your pain may improve, your stiffness will persist for about four to six months, making day-to-day activities challenging.
3. Thawing: For six months to two years, shoulder mobility may gradually increase.

The primary treatment option for a frozen shoulder is physical therapy with a focus on shoulder flexibility, with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain and inflammation in the joint. If physical therapy does not work, your doctor may recommend a corticosteroid injection or joint distension.

The labrum is a ring of cartilage that lines and reinforces the shoulder joint to promote stability. When injured, the labrum can cause a partial or complete shoulder dislocation, as well as a significant amount of pain. Labral tears often occur in sports with overhead motions due to repetitive stress, from an acute traumatic injury, or due to natural aging.

There are two kinds of labral tears: 

• Superior labrum from anterior to posterior: Known as SLAP, this is a kind of tear that runs from the front of the shoulder to the back.
• Bankart: Occurs when the shoulder joint ball slips out of the socket, tearing the lower portion of the labrum, which makes it easier for the shoulder to dislocate again. 

Depending on the degree of the tear, labral tears can heal with rest, anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy. In severe cases, surgery may be required to eliminate pain and restore normal function.

Tendonitis is the inflammation or irritation of a tendon. In the shoulder, this condition can often occur in the rotator cuff or in the bicep tendon, usually from being pinched by nearby structures. Tendonitis is most common in overhead sports due to repetitive use.

Symptoms of tendonitis include:

• Limited mobility 
• Pain 
• Soreness