Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery
-
J Shoulder Elbow Surg · Mar 2018
Review Meta AnalysisOperative versus nonoperative treatment for the management of full-thickness rotator cuff tears: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Rotator cuff disease is the most common pathology of the shoulder, responsible for approximately 70% of clinic visits for shoulder pain. However, no consensus exists on the optimal treatment. The aim of this study was to analyze level I and II research comparing operative versus nonoperative management of full-thickness rotator cuff tears. ⋯ There was a statistically significant improvement in outcomes for patients managed operatively compared with those managed nonoperatively. The differences in both Constant and VAS scores were small and did not meet the minimal difference considered clinically significant. Larger studies with longer follow-up are required to determine whether clinical differences between these treatments become evident over time.