title: Chronic rotator cuff tears.
abstract: The treatment of chronic rotator cuff tears is a controversial topic. Proponents of conservative therapy cite cadaver studies and postulate that with time the inflammatory reaction will subside and that although the structural integrity of the cuff may not be completely intact, the patient will nevertheless have an excellent functional result. On the other hand, operative intervention proponents contend that better mechanical advantage to shoulder motion will be present with an intact rotator cuff and that excision of necrotic tissue will alleviate impingement and pain. This paper is an overview of the topic and discusses some of the treatment modalities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Ohio.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Clarke
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009132:Muscles / Q000293:injuries; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy