A number of people refer to a shoulder injury as a rotator cup tear. However, the muscle is called a rotator cuff.

Rotator cuff tears, according to Dr. Goradia, are more common in people over 40 years old. The shoulder muscle just plain wears out. Many under that age who think they have rotator cuff tears often have a labral tear.

At any rate, both require surgery as tears don't repair themselves. However, many shoulder tears can now be repaired with arthroscopic surgery. So be sure to get a second opinion. It makes a difference in recovery time. 

Signs and Symptoms of Rotator Cuff Tears

• Recurrent, constant pain, particularly with overhead activities.
• Pain at night that prevents you from sleeping on the affected side.
• Muscle weakness, especially when attempting to lift the arm.
• Catching and grating or cracking sounds when the arm is moved.
• Limited motion.
• Usually occurs in the dominant arm (right shoulder for right-handed people; left shoulder for left-handed people).
• May be triggered by a specific incident.

Risk Factors for Rotator Cuff Tears

• Repetitive overhead motion, such as pitching or painting a ceiling.
• Heavy lifting.
• Excessive force, such as a fall.
• Degeneration due to aging, including a reduction in the blood supply to the tendon.
• Narrowing of the space (acromioclavicular arch) between the collarbone (clavicle) and the top portion (acromion) of the shoulder bone (scapula).
• Rubbing (abrasion) of the cuff surface by the top portion of the shoulder bone.