This article in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery showed that people can do just fine with full-thickness tears using conservative treatment for up to 5 years. ~ Dr. Brousssard
Five-year rotator cuff quality-of-life index outcomes following nonoperative treatment of patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears
Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery — | February 12, 2018
Boorman RS, et al. – The experts sought to evaluate the 5-year outcomes in a prospective cohort of patients with chronic, full-thickness rotator cuff tears who were previously enrolled in a nonoperative rotator cuff tear treatment program. In many patients with a chronic, full-thickness rotator cuff tear, nonoperative treatment was discovered to be an effective and lasting option. Though it was noted that nonoperative treatment delayed the inevitable surgical repair, findings revealed that patients could do very well over time.
Journal Abstract
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