Traumatic rotator cuff tears

Rotator cuff tears are common injuries that impart significant morbidity to patients, resulting in pain and loss of function. Traumatic rotator cuff tears tend to occur in young males and can be particularly debilitating due to lost work. Significant advances have been made in basic science, imaging technology, and arthroscopy that have increased our understanding of rotator cuff tears and how to optimize repair. The bulk of the research has focused on atraumatic, chronic rotator cuff tears; very little has been published on the epidemiology, prevalence, or natural history of traumatic, acute rotator cuff tears. However, knowledge gained from the study of degenerative tears can be used to guide our understanding of acute traumatic tears. In this chapter, we will focus on the diagnosis of acute rotator cuff tears and the optimal treatment options available.