Outlook

• Treatment without surgery is reported to have a success rate of 40%-90%, depending on the age of the person and the extent of the injury.



• Older people have a much longer time to complete recovery.



• Those having surgical repair have a high rate of recovery. One study found 94% of the people were satisfied after surgery with lasting relief of pain and improved function.



• When the rotator cuff tear is very large, the results even with surgery may be poor. Fortunately, only a small percentage of people have such tears.