Treatments for irreparable tears

Abstract

When the rotator cuff tear cannot be repaired and patient functional demand is low, a conservative treatment may be proposed with the purpose of mitigating the pain, and, consequently, completely or partially recovering the shoulder motion. This treatment consists of following a rehabilitation programme, taking medication for reduce shoulder pain or undergoing subacromial injections using steroids, hyaluronic acid or PRP. In some patients this treatment is effective; although, it is possible that the attenuation or the disappearance of pain is simply due to rest and/or to the natural history of the cuff tear.