There are several common symptoms reported by suffers of rotator cuff tears.

• At the time of incident, there is typically a tearing feeling in the shoulder followed by sharp pain through the arm.
• Following the tear, the patient will have limited motion of the arm depending on the muscle torn.
• Severe pain will last for several days.
• Difficulty trying to sleep due to the shoulder dropping towards the bed.
• Tenderness at the point of the tear.

The rotator cuff muscles may just be inflamed. In which case the patient could feel the following.

• An ache deep within the joint.
• General tenderness of the joint.
• Pain will get worse as overhead or out to the side activities are performed.