Risk of Tear Progression in Nonoperatively Treated Small Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears

Abstract

Rotator cuff disorders are the most common cause of disability related to the shoulder. Despite a large amount of literature on the outcomes of surgical repair of rotator cuff tears, the indications for surgery still remain controversial and are not standardized. Dunn et al. reported on the variation in surgeons’ perceptions about the indications for the treatment of rotator cuff tears1. One of the most important reasons for the lack of consistent indications is the paucity of quality information on the natural history of rotator cuff tears that are treated nonoperatively. This paucity of information on the natural history of these tears is likely due to the fact that many tears are surgically treated after the development of symptoms. By attempting to understand the natural history of rotator cuff tears, we can gain insight into the etiology of the disease process, which factors contribute to tendon healing, when conservative care should be utilized, and when early surgical intervention is appropriate. This study by Fucentese et al. fills a niche in the current literature regarding …