DEAR DR. GOTT: I have not seen anything in your column about a torn rotator cuff. I have one in my right shoulder. I am a 79-year-old male and wonder if an operation would help me in any way. I had a triple bypass in 1977 and implants placed in my prostate. Other than that, I’m in good health.
DEAR READER: The muscles and tendons that connect the upper arm bone to the shoulder blade and hold the ball of the bone firmly into the shoulder socket are known as the rotator cuff. Injuries result primarily from a fall with impact to the arm, the aging process, poor posture and from repetitive activity — specifically, that which is done overhead. Symptoms include loss of motion because of pain and shoulder weakness.
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