This 2006 JAAOS review examines partial-thickness rotator cuff tears as a heterogeneous spectrum of pathology rather than a single entity. It synthesizes anatomy, pathogenesis, natural history, imaging accuracy, and surgical outcomes to answer when to débride versus repair, and how the overhead throwing athlete differs from the older degenerative patient.
When you see a partial-thickness rotator cuff tear, location and depth determine your surgical plan: articular tears under 6 mm and bursal tears under 3 mm can be débrided, but deeper tears — especially bursal-sided — have unacceptably high failure rates with débridement alone and warrant repair.
In a young overhead thrower, think internal impingement and look for concomitant posterior SLAP and capsular pathology before considering any cuff repair.
This 2006 JAAOS review examines partial-thickness rotator cuff tears as a heterogeneous spectrum of pathology rather than a single entity. It synthesizes anatomy, pathogenesis, natural history, imaging accuracy, and surgical outcomes to answer when to débride versus repair, and how the overhead throwing athlete differs from the older degenerative patient.
When you see a partial-thickness rotator cuff tear, location and depth determine your surgical plan: articular tears under 6 mm and bursal tears under 3 mm can be débrided, but deeper tears — especially bursal-sided — have unacceptably high failure rates with débridement alone and warrant repair.
In a young overhead thrower, think internal impingement and look for concomitant posterior SLAP and capsular pathology before considering any cuff repair.