Rotator cuff repair in older patients

Increasingly, older patients expect a higher level of independence than people of previous generations. Traditionally rotator cuff tears in patients over 65 years of age were thought to be unsuitable for surgical repair even though patients may have reduced shoulder function as a result. With improved health of the older population, surgeons are now prepared to repair the torn rotator cuff. Published results of this surgery are discussed. Other treatment options such as physiotherapy, injections together with subacromial decompression, cuff debridement, tuberoplasty and reverse polarity shoulder replacement are considered.