Operative versus conservative treatment of small, nontraumatic supraspinatus tears in patients older than 55 years: over 5-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial

On the basis of this study operative treatment is no better than conservative treatment with regard to small non-traumatic single tendon supraspinatus tears in patients over 55 years of age. Operative treatment does not protect against degeneration of the glenohumeral joint or cuff tear arthropathy. Conservative treatment is a reasonable option for the primary initial treatment of this condition.