Rotator Cuff Tears After 40: Injury or Normal Ageing?

Hearing that you have a rotator cuff tear can sound alarming. Many people immediately assume they have suffered a serious shoulder injury. However, research shows that rotator cuff tears become increasingly common with age, even in people without any shoulder pain. By midlife, scans frequently reveal small tears or degenerative changes that may simply reflect normal ageing of the shoulder. Pain often appears when the shoulder loses strength or when activity levels suddenly increase beyond what the tissues can tolerate. Rehabilitation that focuses on strengthening the shoulder and improving load tolerance can often reduce symptoms and restore function. In many cases, the goal is not to “fix” the tear, but to improve the capacity of the shoulder to handle everyday demands.