title: Assessment and treatment strategies for rotator cuff tears.
abstract: Tears of the rotator cuff are common and becoming an increasingly frequent problem. There is a vast amount of literature on the merits and limitations of the various methods of clinical and radiological assessment of rotator cuff tears. This is also the case with regard to treatment strategies. Certain popular beliefs and principles practiced widely and the basis upon which they are derived may be prone to inaccuracy. We provide an overview of the historical management of rotator cuff tears, as well as an explanation for how and why rotator cuff tears should be managed, and propose a structured methodology for their assessment and treatment.
authors: St Bartholomew's and the Royal London Hospital Upper Limb Service (Shoulder and Elbow), Royal London Hospital, London, UK.
authors: Wisam
authors: W
authors: Al-Hakim
authors: St Bartholomew's and the Royal London Hospital Upper Limb Service (Shoulder and Elbow), Royal London Hospital, London, UK.
authors: Ali
authors: A
authors: Noorani
authors: The Shoulder and Elbow Service, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, Middlesex, UK.
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Lambert
keywords: assessment; biomechanics; repair; review; rotator cuff; shoulder pain; tear; treatment