Your Options for Treating Rotator <br>Cuff Tears

It's a fact of life: As we get older, we're more likely to get hurt when we exercise or take on certain everyday tasks. Routine activities like playing tennis or placing items on shelves can result in a common problem the rotator cuff injury.

Tears in the rotator cuff are not a huge health setback. But they can limit movement and cause serious pain. There are several ways to treat rotator cuff tears, including surgical and nonsurgical treatments. You'll want to understand your options before you make a decision.

To help you, my agency, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), offers a guide called Treatment Options for Rotator Cuff Tears. It explains in plain language how this common, age-related injury is treated and the pros and cons of these treatments.

The good news is that most treatments work. But some options may be better for certain patients. Older or sicker patients, for example, often do better without surgery.

Knowing how your rotator cuff works helps you understand how it can be injured. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that hold the "ball" of your upper arm bone firmly in your shoulder socket. Your rotator cuff allows you to lift and rotate your arms. The tendons can tear much like a piece of leather. Sometimes, the tendon is only slightly damaged. Other times, the tendon suffers a complete tear, meaning that it has torn away from the bone.

Our guide, Treatment Options for Rotator Cuff Tears, summarizes scientific evidence. It shows that patients get better with both nonsurgical and surgical treatments. Three types of surgery all produce the same level of improvement of shoulder function. However, arthroscopic surgery usually offers a shorter recovery time. A few studies found that some patients who had mini-open surgery returned to work or sports about one month sooner than those who had open surgery.

To decide what is right for you, consider asking your doctor questions such as:

1. What are the pros and cons of nonsurgical or surgical treatments for me?

2. If I need surgery, which type (open, mini-open or arthroscopic) do you think would be best for me?

3. What type of care will I need after surgery?

4. When can I return to my usual activities?

5. Will these treatments help my rotator cuff for many years?

6. When should I expect to feel better?

Getting information about the risks and benefits of different treatments helps you make an informed decision. And we know that informed patients often have a shorter path to better health.

I'm Dr. Carolyn Clancy, and that's my advice on how to navigate the health care system.

Carolyn M. Clancy, a general internist and researcher, is an expert in engaging consumers in their health care. She is the director of the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.