A prospective study was performed to evaluate the structural progression of high grade partial thickness rotator cuff tears (hPTRCT) managed non-operatively.

Investigations were set to affirm the widely held impression of the natural progression of these injuries toward a full thickness tear, lending support to early surgical intervention.

The authors conclude that due to the timelines used in the investigation, long term outcomes are still unknown. However, a relative minority of the subjects reviewed after minimum 1 year follow-up showed progression of tears under MRI.