What Is The Best Treatment Option For Partial Articular Surface Tearing Of The Supraspinatus Tendon?

Posted on Fri, 10 Jan 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 10 Jan 2014 Answered on

Wed, 29 Jan 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I have an approximately 50 percent partial articular surface tearing of the supraspinatus tendon insertion involving the antterior 20 percent of the tendon and there is tendinosis of the rest of the tendon. doctor says to decide between an cordizone shots or an operation almost everyone i have spoke with has said not to chose the operation and to go the cordizone shots because the people know people that have had the operation are never the same again and most are not able to go back to work. which is best? and is the operation that bad as they say?

Answered by Dr. K. Naga Ravi Prasad (6 hours later)

Brief Answer: Conservative treatment is the first option. Detailed Answer: Hi, thanks for writing to XXXXXXX As you have PARTIAL articular surface tear involving the anterior 20% of the tendon (rotator cuff tear), conservative (non surgical) method of management can be tried first. If your symptoms are not improving within 4-6 months of conservative management, then surgery may be indicated. There are numerous studies which indicate that rotator cuff tears do not heal spontaneously. There is no universal agreement that surgical debridement of a partially torn cuff relieves pain or stimulates a sufficient healing response. Also, there is no clear cut consensus on the role of corticosteroid shots in rotator cuff tears. It may possibly suppresses the inflammation providing a significant pain relief and thereby improving range of motion but there is a chance that a steroid shot may cause the remaining cuff to weaken and tear further. A trial of conservative management for your condition involves - - Inflammation may be effectively controlled with activity modification, oral anti-inflammatory medications - Judicious use of subacromial corticosteroid injections - Physical therapy aimed at regaining motion and strengthening of the rotator cuff and periscapular musculature Also, this is a bare fact that any operative surgical outcome/result will depend on the skill and ability of the operating surgeon. So, operations in the hands of a competent surgeon mostly yields good outcomes. Hope I have addressed your query. Happy to help further Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar