Management of rotator cuff tears in the elderly population.

Rotator cuff tears (RCTs) are a common cause of shoulder pain and weakness in the elderly (age > 65yrs) and result in reduced quality of life, loss of income and a burden on health care. With the elderly population living longer there is a growing interest in the effective and efficient management of RCTs. In a majority of cases, the initial treatment is conservative, with physical therapy, analgesics and possibly corticosteroid or plasma rich protein injections.