What is a torn rotator cuff tendon like?

Weakness, pain: You have weakness when trying to raise your arm over your head, associated with pain. Typically rotating your arm in or out (such as with putting on a shirt) is also painful. An MRI of your shoulder can diagnose it best.

Painful and weak: A torn rotator cuff tendon is usually quite painful, especially at night or during forceful shoulder motion. The rotator cuff starts out as 4 individual muscle attached to the shoulder blade. As they approach there insertion onto the tuberosities of the humerus, they come together to make a tendonus cuff. When this cuff of tissue is torn, active shoulder motion becomes difficult. Needs surgery.

Rotator cuff tear: Most common complaints associated with a rotator cuff tendon tear include pain in the upper arm, increases with lifting or reaching, pain at night, and sometimes weakness with lifting.