What is a PASTA Tear?
PASTA is an acronym for partial articular supraspinatus tendon avulsion.
To further explain:
- Partial: means the tear has not gone all the way through the tendon.
- Articular: There are two surfaces to the tendon, one is bursal, and the other is articular. The articular surface is the inner side of the tendon.
- Supraspinatus Tendon: This is one of the four tendons which make up the rotator cuff, the group of muscles and tendons which help to move and stabilize the arm at the shoulder joint.
- Avulsion: An avulsion injury typically refers to a traumatic injury which has had some sort of pulling force applied.
Causes of a PASTA Tear
The most common cause of PASTA Lesion is an injury sustained by the shoulder while any twisting or pulling action performed by it. A PASTA tear can also be caused by any traumatic and forceful fall or along with the ageing process.
Symptoms
- Excruciating pain while lifting the arm overhead, outward, or in a throwing motions.
- Weakness in the shoulder after performing activities that involve repetitive overhead lifting.
- Pain at night which prevents one from being able to sleep on the affected side.
Treatment
Non-Surgical Techniques:
- Physical Therapy
- Relative rest of the shoulder
- Avoidance of all activities that may exacerbate the pain
- Anti-inflammatory medicines
- Steroid injections
Common Surgical Approaches
Arthroscopic Repair: Through small incisions in your shoulder joint, the surgeon inserts a fiber optic camera to view the damage and then uses surgical tools to repair the tear.
Mini Open Repair: Under this technique the surgeon completes the arthroscopic diagnosing through camera and then exposes the supraspinatus tendon to be surgically repaired.
If you have been diagnosed with a PASTA tear or think you may have symptoms of this type of injury, call our office to schedule a consultation today!
