Which of the following clinical features commonly presents with chronic RTC tears?

Weakness in external rotation is indeed a clinical feature that is commonly associated with chronic rotator cuff (RTC) tears. When a rotator cuff tear occurs, the muscles responsible for shoulder movement, particularly the infraspinatus and teres minor, can become weakened over time. This results in diminished external rotation strength, which is a key indicator when assessing the integrity of the rotator cuff.

In chronic tears, the compensatory mechanisms of other muscles may mask the weakness initially, but as the condition progresses, the patient's ability to externally rotate their arm is noticeably affected. This can lead to difficulties in performing everyday activities that require this specific movement, further highlighting the importance of recognizing external rotation weakness during a physical examination.

While acute shoulder pain is often associated with more recent injuries rather than chronic issues, substantial swelling typically points to acute inflammation or injury as well, and limited range of motion in abduction can occur in various shoulder conditions, including postoperative stiffness or adhesive capsulitis, but is less specifically indicative of chronic RTC tears. In contrast, weakness in external rotation directly correlates with dysfunction in the rotator cuff mechanism.