By: Ernie Mundell, Lori Solomon
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their tendons that surround the shoulder joint, providing stability and enabling a wide range of shoulder movements. These muscles work together to keep the head of the humerus firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder, allowing for smooth and controlled arm movements. A rotator cuff tear is a common injury affecting the shoulder, involving a tear in one or more of the tendons that comprise the rotator cuff.