Clin Should Elbow.  2014 Dec;17(4):209-217. 10.5397/cise.2014.17.4.209.

Current Concept of Management of Partial-thickness Rotator Cuff Tear

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Eulji Hospital, Eulji University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. shouldertk@gmail.com

Abstract

Most studies on the pathophysiology, natural history, diagnosis by imaging and outcomes after operative or nonoperative treatment of rotator cuff tear have focused on those of full-thickness tears, resulting in limited knowledge of partial-thickness rotator cuff tears. However, a partial-thickness tear of the rotator cuff is a common disorder and can be the cause of persistent pain and dysfunction of the shoulder joint in the affected patients. Recent updates in the literatures shows that the partial-thickness tears are not merely mild form of full-thickness tears. Over the last decades, an improved knowledge of pathophysiology and surgical techniques of partial-thickness tears has led to more understanding of the significance of this tear and better outcomes. In this review, we discuss the current concept of management for partial-thickness tears in terms of the pathogenesis, natural history, nonoperative treatment, and surgical outcomes associated with the commonly used repair techniques.

Keyword

Rotator cuff; Tear; Partial

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis
Humans
Natural History
Rotator Cuff*
Shoulder Joint
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