A large intermuscular shoulder lipoma causing pain and weakness in an 87-year-old patient: a case report

Rotator cuff dysfunction is more common with advancing age; the prevalence of full-thickness rotator cuff tears has been estimated at 22% in patients older than 65 years3 and 51% in patients older than 80 years,19 although many of these arise insidiously and remain asymptomatic. Chronic rotator cuff insufficiency may progress to cuff tear arthropathy,12 often characterized by declining active shoulder motion and dysfunction. However, not all older patients presenting with insidious shoulder pain, weakness, and limited mobility have a large chronic rotator cuff tear or cuff tear arthropathy.