In a full thickness rotator cuff tear, what classic symptom is typically observed?

In a full thickness rotator cuff tear, night pain is a classic and often prominent symptom observed in patients. This occurs due to the position of the shoulder during sleep, which can exacerbate the strain on the torn rotator cuff muscles and tendons. The irritation of the underlying structures leads to discomfort that is typically more pronounced when lying on the affected side.

Night pain is significant because it can severely impact a patient's quality of sleep and overall function. While pain during overhead activities is indeed common in rotator cuff injuries, especially during partial tears, the pervasive nature of night pain often distinguishes full thickness tears. Weakness may accompany a full thickness tear, but it does not solely characterize it, as weakness can also arise from other shoulder pathologies. Additionally, swelling around the shoulder is often present in various musculoskeletal conditions but is not as specific or classic for a full thickness rotator cuff tear as night pain is. Thus, night pain stands out as a defining symptom in this scenario.