Shoulder pain can be frustrating and limiting, especially when it starts to interfere with daily activities like reaching overhead, lifting, or even sleeping comfortably. Four common conditions that often cause this pain are RTC partial thickness tears, PASTA tears, RTC tendinosis, and calcific tendinitis. Understanding these conditions early is key to managing symptoms, preventing further damage, and improving your long-term shoulder function.
In this article, we’ll break down what each condition is, how you can recognize the signs, how doctors diagnose them, and the treatment options—especially the surgical approach known as Arthroscopic RTC Repair/Debridement with or without a Bioinductive Implant (Regeneten), which has helped many patients return to pain-free function.
General Points
Symptoms: How Shoulder Problems Present
The symptoms of these shoulder conditions often overlap, which is why a careful evaluation is important. Here’s what patients typically notice:
RTC Partial Thickness Tear
- Shoulder pain with overhead activities or lifting
- Weakness when reaching or lifting objects
- Occasional sharp pain at the front or side of the shoulder
- Night pain, especially when lying on the affected side
PASTA Tear (Partial Articular Supraspinatus Tendon Avulsion)
- Pain mainly with lifting the arm in front of the body
- Difficulty performing tasks like combing hair or reaching for shelves
- Occasional clicking or catching in the shoulder
- Pain can be intermittent but worsens with repetitive movements
RTC Tendinosis
- Gradual onset of shoulder pain without a specific injury
- Stiffness, especially in the morning or after activity
- Aching pain that may worsen with repetitive overhead use
- Weakness developing over time
Calcific Tendinitis
- Sudden, intense shoulder pain (sometimes waking you from sleep)
- Limited range of motion due to pain
- Tenderness over the shoulder
- Pain may flare up during activities involving lifting or reaching
Recognizing these symptoms early is important because timely intervention can prevent progression to a full-thickness tear or chronic shoulder dysfunction.
Diagnosis: How an Orthopedic Specialist Confirms the Problem
Proper diagnosis starts with a thorough medical history and physical examination. Your orthopedic specialist will ask about when the pain started, what movements trigger it, and how it affects daily life. During the exam, they may check for:
- Range of motion limitations
- Strength deficits
- Pain patterns during specific shoulder movements.
Imaging studies often follow to confirm the diagnosis:
- X-rays: Useful for detecting bone spurs or calcifications.
- Ultrasound: Can show partial tendon tears and tendon quality in real-time.
- MRI or MR arthrogram: Provides detailed images of tendon structure, including partial thickness tears, PASTA lesions, and the extent of tendinosis.
A combination of these evaluations allows your orthopedic specialist to accurately identify the type of shoulder pathology and plan the most effective treatment.
Treatment Options for Shoulder Tendon Problems
Treatment typically starts with non-surgical approaches, especially for mild tears or early tendinosis:
Non-Surgical Treatments
- Physical therapy: Strengthening and flexibility exercises to improve shoulder mechanics
- Anti-inflammatory medications: To reduce pain and swelling
- Activity modification: Avoiding activities that aggravate symptoms
- Corticosteroid injections: For temporary relief of inflammation
While many patients experience improvement with these approaches, some may continue to have pain or functional limitations, especially with partial thickness tears or calcific deposits.
Arthroscopic RTC Repair/Debridement +/- Bioinductive Implant (Regeneten): A Surgical Solution
When conservative treatments aren’t enough, surgery can be highly effective. One of the most advanced and successful procedures is Arthroscopic RTC Repair/Debridement with or without a Bioinductive Implant (Regeneten). Here’s what you need to know:
How It Works
This minimally invasive surgery is performed through small incisions using a camera (arthroscope) to visualize the shoulder joint. The surgeon will:
- Debride damaged tendon tissue: Removing frayed or degenerated portions of the tendon
- Repair the tear: Suturing the torn tendon to restore its attachment
- Optional Bioinductive Implant (Regeneten): A collagen scaffold that encourages the body to grow new, healthy tendon tissue, particularly helpful in partial thickness or degenerative tears
The procedure is gentle on surrounding tissues, preserves healthy tendon, and promotes natural healing.
When It’s Recommended
- Persistent pain after 3–6 months of non-surgical treatment
- Partial thickness tears affecting shoulder function
- PASTA tears with pain during daily activities
- Severe tendinosis or calcific tendinitis not responding to conservative care
Benefits of the Procedure
- Minimally invasive with smaller incisions and less post-operative pain
- High success rates: Most patients experience significant pain relief and improved shoulder function
- Bioinductive implant can enhance tendon healing, particularly in degenerative or difficult-to-heal tears
- Faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery
Take Action for a Healthier Shoulder
If you’re dealing with RTC partial thickness tears, PASTA tears, RTC tendinosis, or calcific tendinitis, early consultation with an experienced orthopedic specialist is key. While non-surgical treatments can help many patients, procedures like Arthroscopic RTC Repair/Debridement with Bioinductive Implant (Regeneten) offer advanced healing, excellent pain relief, and a high likelihood of returning to the activities you love.
Don’t wait for shoulder pain to worsen. Schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward lasting recovery and a stronger, more functional shoulder.
