Can a Torn Rotator Cuff Cause Neck Pain?

Overuse of Neck Muscles

When you have a rotator cuff injury, you may unknowingly overuse your neck muscles to compensate for weakness in your injured shoulder.

For example, when you bend down to pick something up, you may use muscles in your neck, you usually wouldn’t if your shoulder was healthy.

This can cause strains to your neck tendons and other muscles that will further exacerbate your shoulder pain.

Unfortunately, your rotator cuff can cause further neck pain that may not show any symptoms when you are first injured after an accident.

Nerve Pain in Your Neck 

Your neck is an epicenter for nerves that have a significant impact on pain levels throughout your body. When these nerves are irritated or injured, this can cause you to feel pain in unexpected areas like your head, neck, and arms.

Did you know the cervical plexus is located in your neck?

The cervical plexus is where eight spinal nerves branch off from your spinal cord to your neck. It functions to connect the muscles in your head and neck.

Your injured rotator cuff can cause a pulsating pain in your shoulder that works its way up your neck to cause nerve pain in the cervical plexus.

Issues Caused By Shoulder Stabilization

Your rotator cuff injury will cause your shoulder to work harder to stabilize itself during lifting and/or rotation.

Secondary shoulder stabilizing muscles like the trapezius and elevator scapulae insert into your neck. A weakness or tear in your rotator cuff can put tremendous stress on the secondary stabilizers.

These overstressed stabilizers can cause neck strain or muscle spasms in your neck.

Wrapping Up: Rotator Cuff Syndrome and Neck Pain

Rotator cuff syndrome can cause pain in your shoulders, neck, and more.

Your rotator cuff is made up of four main muscles: the teres minor, subscapularis, infraspinatus, and supraspinatus. Each of these muscles plays a crucial role in the proper function of your shoulder.

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