Supraspinatus tendon tear is a common cause of which shoulder condition?

Supraspinatus tendon tear is a common cause of which shoulder condition?

• A. Adhesive capsulitis
• B. Glenoid labrum tear
• C. Acromioclavicular sprain
• D. Rotator cuff tear

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that a supraspinatus tendon tear is a common contributor to rotator cuff pathology. The rotator cuff is a group of four tendons that stabilize the shoulder and enable lifting the arm. Among them, the supraspinatus tendon is the most frequently torn because it runs under the acromion and bears the first load when you start to lift the arm, making it especially prone to degeneration and tearing with age or repetitive overhead use. When this tendon tears, people typically experience shoulder pain and weakness with lifting the arm, particularly during the initial phase of abduction, which points to a rotator cuff issue. Other conditions listed involve different structures—adhesive capsulitis causes stiff, tight joints; glenoid labrum tears affect the cartilage rim and stability; and acromioclavicular sprains involve the joint at the top of the shoulder—so they don’t fit as directly with the most common source of rotator cuff tears.

The key idea is that a supraspinatus tendon tear is a common contributor to rotator cuff pathology. The rotator cuff is a group of four tendons that stabilize the shoulder and enable lifting the arm. Among them, the supraspinatus tendon is the most frequently torn because it runs under the acromion and bears the first load when you start to lift the arm, making it especially prone to degeneration and tearing with age or repetitive overhead use. When this tendon tears, people typically experience shoulder pain and weakness with lifting the arm, particularly during the initial phase of abduction, which points to a rotator cuff issue. Other conditions listed involve different structures—adhesive capsulitis causes stiff, tight joints; glenoid labrum tears affect the cartilage rim and stability; and acromioclavicular sprains involve the joint at the top of the shoulder—so they don’t fit as directly with the most common source of rotator cuff tears.