Natural History of Rotator Cuff Tears

Volume 6 | Issue 1 | January-June 2021 | Page 36-38 | W. Jaap Willems


Author: W. Jaap Willems [1, 2]

[1] Lairesse Kliniek, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
[2] International Knee and Joint Centre, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Address of Correspondence:
Dr. W. Jaap Willems,
Shoulder Unit, Lairesse Kliniek, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
International Knee and Joint Centre, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
E-mail: w.j.willems@xs4all.nl


Abstract

Rotator cuff tears are a frequent phenomenon with an increasing incidence when the patient gets older. A considerable number of tears remain asymptomatic during a lifetime. However, still, a substantial number of asymptomatic tears become symptomatic. There is, at present evolving evidence that surgical treatment of small to medium-sized tears does better than conservative treatment, even after a long term follow-up. A treatment algorithm is suggested to help the clinician in decision making, where tear size and age are important factors in the prognosis of surgical treatment.
Keywords: Rotator cuff; Ruptures; Natural historyf tears; Partial rotator cuff tears; Subscapularis tears; Geometric Classification; Arthroscopic Classification; Rotator cuff retraction; Rotator cuff tendon quality; Prognosis for Rotator Cuff tears.


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How to Cite this article: Willems WJ | Natural History of Rotator Cuff Tears | Asian Journal of Arthroscopy | January-June 2021; 6(1): 36-38.

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