Get a clear diagnosis and the right treatment plan from a shoulder and sports medicine specialist in the DC area.

If your shoulder:

• Hurts when you lift your arm
• Is weak reaching overhead
• Wakes you up at night
• Clicks, catches, or feels painful with use
• Or you can’t do normal activities without pain

…you may have a rotator cuff tear or rotator cuff tendinitis.

Rajeev Pandarinath, MD is a fellowship-trained orthopedic sports medicine surgeon who specializes in shoulder and knee injuries, including rotator cuff tears, biceps injuries, and impingement problems.

✅ Fast appointments
✅ MRI coordination if needed
✅ Clear plan — surgical and non-surgical options
✅ Surgery only if it truly helps

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What Is the Rotator Cuff?

The rotator cuff is a group of four tendons and muscles that:

• Stabilize your shoulder
• Allow you to lift and rotate your arm
• Are critical for overhead and lifting activities

When one or more of these tendons is:

• Inflamed
• Frayed
• Or torn

…it can cause pain, weakness, and loss of function.

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Common Causes of Rotator Cuff Problems

• Lifting or reaching injuries
• Falls
• Sports injuries
• Overhead activities
• Wear and tear over time (very common after age 40–50)
• Sometimes: no clear injury at all

Many patients say:

“It just started hurting and getting weaker over time.”

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Symptoms That Suggest a Rotator Cuff Tear

• Pain lifting the arm
• Weakness reaching overhead or behind your back
• Night pain, especially when lying on that shoulder
• Trouble with daily activities:
  • Putting on a jacket
  • Reaching into cabinets
  • Lifting objects
• Sometimes: clicking or catching

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Do All Rotator Cuff Tears Need Surgery?

No. Most do not.

Many rotator cuff problems:

• Improve with:
  • Physical therapy
  • Anti-inflammatory treatment
  • Injections (when appropriate)
  • Activity modification

Some tears:

• Especially larger tears
• Or those causing significant weakness or loss of function
• Or those that don’t improve with conservative treatment

…do benefit from surgical repair.

The goal is:

To recommend surgery only when it meaningfully improves your outcome.

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What Happens at Your Visit

1. Careful shoulder exam
2. Review of X-rays and MRI (or order MRI if needed)
3. Explanation of:
   • What exactly is injured
   • How severe it is
   • Your treatment options
4. Clear plan:
   • Non-surgical treatment
   • Or surgery if appropriate

You will leave knowing:

What’s going on and what the smartest next step is.

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Why See Dr. Pandarinath?

• Fellowship-trained in Sports Medicine
• Focuses on:
  • Rotator cuff repair
  • Biceps tendon surgery
  • Shoulder arthroscopy
  • Sports-related shoulder injuries
• Treats:
  • Athletes
  • Active adults
  • People who just want their shoulder to work again
• Known for:
  • Thoughtful recommendations
  • Clear explanations
  • Avoiding unnecessary surgery

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Rotator Cuff Tears and Sports or Activity Injuries

Rotator cuff tears can occur from:

• Falls
• Lifting injuries
• Sports
• Or gradually from wear and tear

If your shoulder:

• Has been getting worse
• Is weaker
• Or is interfering with sleep or daily activities

…it should be evaluated properly.

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Request an Appointment

If you have shoulder pain or think you may have a rotator cuff tear:

👉 Click above to request an appointment
📞 Or call our office to be seen as soon as possible

The sooner your shoulder is properly evaluated, the sooner you can start the right treatment.

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About Rajeev Pandarinath, MD

Rajeev Pandarinath, MD is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic sports medicine surgeon specializing in knee and shoulder injuries.

He treats:

• Rotator cuff tears
• Biceps tendon injuries
• Shoulder impingement
• Sports and activity-related joint problems

His approach emphasizes:

• Accurate diagnosis
• Evidence-based treatment
• Matching treatment to the patient’s goals