Winter has arrived, which means one thing for ski and snowboard fans: it's time to hit the slopes! However, that also means that Dr. Sterett, Vail Valley's leading orthopaedic surgeon, begins to see an increase in shoulder injuries – the most common being rotator cuff tears.

Are you experiencing shoulder pain or weakness? Is it difficult to lift your arm above your head? You might be dealing with a rotator cuff injury — one of the most common sources of shoulder pain.

Sometimes, after a fall or overuse, the rotator cuff can tear. Here are some frequently asked questions Dr. Sterett and his team receive from patients with a rotator cuff injury.

Your shoulder joint is composed of muscles, bones, and tendons. An injury to any section (or sections) of your shoulder can cause painful shoulder symptoms.

When there’s a tear to the rotator cuff, the pain can be severe and prolonged. At that point, Dr. Sterett and his Vail Valley team may recommend surgery.

With a rotator cuff tear, surgery is typically recommended. But shoulder impingement may be healed by eliminating the cause or contributing factor.