title: Decision-making in massive rotator cuff tear.
abstract: Treatment of massive rotator cuff tears has developed over many years ranging from conservative treatment to open and arthroscopic repair, muscle transfers and reversed arthroplasty. The evolution of more advanced techniques in arthroscopic repair has changed the treatment approach and improved the prognosis for functional outcome despite low healing rates. Due to this rapid development, our evidence-based knowledge today is mainly founded in Level 3 and Level 4 studies. Based on the literature, the current knowledge on treatment of symptomatic massive rotator cuff tears is proposed in an algorithm. Level of evidence V.
authors.affiliation: Hôpital Ambroise Paré - APHP, 9, Avenue du Général de Gaulle, 92100, Boulogne-Billancourt, France, andre.thes@gmail.com.
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thès
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hardy
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bak
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000465:Algorithms; D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement / Q000379:methods; D001182:Arthroscopy; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000601:surgery; D003657:Decision Making; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D006801:Humans; D009133:Muscular Atrophy; D010808:Physical Examination; D011379:Prognosis; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D012421:Rupture / Q000601:surgery; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013709:Tendon Transfer; D058971:Tenotomy