The purpose of this prospective study is to describe the mid- to long-term natural history of untreated asymptomatic degenerative rotator cuff tears in patients 65 years and younger.
Subjects with an asymptomatic rotator cuff tear in one shoulder and a contralateral painful cuff tear aged 65 years or younger were enrolled in a previously described prospective longitudinal study. Annual physical and ultrasonographic evaluations and surveillance for pain development were performed using independent examiners for the asymptomatic shoulder.
Asymptomatic degenerative rotator cuff tears progress in patient 65 years and younger. Full-thickness rotator cuff tears have a higher risk of continued tear enlargement, progression of fatty muscle degeneration, and pain development than partial-thickness tears.
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.
The purpose of this prospective study is to describe the mid- to long-term natural history of untreated asymptomatic degenerative rotator cuff tears in patients 65 years and younger.
Subjects with an asymptomatic rotator cuff tear in one shoulder and a contralateral painful cuff tear aged 65 years or younger were enrolled in a previously described prospective longitudinal study. Annual physical and ultrasonographic evaluations and surveillance for pain development were performed using independent examiners for the asymptomatic shoulder.
Asymptomatic degenerative rotator cuff tears progress in patient 65 years and younger. Full-thickness rotator cuff tears have a higher risk of continued tear enlargement, progression of fatty muscle degeneration, and pain development than partial-thickness tears.
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.