Rotator cuff tears (RCTs) are thought to be the most common cause of shoulder pain in adults, with the prevalence ranging from 20-34%.

It is reported that most who have radiographically confirmed RCTs are symptomatic and 17-23% are asymptomatic. The fact that with an observable RCT, there is up to 1 in 4 chance that the individual is asymptomatic, has made the cause of the pain unclear.

In order to add light to the situation, this study sought to find the natural history of non-operatively treated symptomatic and asymptomatic full-thickness RCTs and note any observable difference in the rate of tear progression in each of the groups.