New study settles debate: surgery or PT for torn rotator cuff?

NCT ID NCT03295994

Completed Disease control Sponsor: University of Michigan Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study compared surgery to physical therapy for people with rotator cuff tears (a common cause of shoulder pain). 187 adults aged 40-84 with MRI-confirmed tears were randomly assigned to either arthroscopic surgery or physical therapy. The goal was to see which treatment better improves shoulder pain and function over time.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery and physical therapy
What this could lead to: If successful, this could help doctors and patients decide whether surgery or physical therapy is the better first step for treating rotator cuff tears.
What could go wrong: This trial is completed but relatively small (187 people). Results may not apply to everyone, and individual outcomes can vary widely.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Rotator Cuff Injuries rotator cuff syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ROTATOR CUFF TEAR

Contacts and locations

Locations

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
Boston Medical Center

Boston, Massachusetts, 02118, United States
Johns Hopkins

Baltimore, Maryland, 21218, United States
Mayo Clinic

Phoenix, Arizona, 85054, United States
Medical University of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States
Ortho Tennessee - Knoxville Orthopedic Clinic

Knoxville, Tennessee, 37922, United States
Ortho Virginia

Richmond, Virginia, 23294, United States
Orthopedic Institute

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 57105, United States
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Columbus, Ohio, 43202, United States
University of California - San Francisco (UCSF)

San Francisco, California, 94158, United States
University of Colorado - Denver

Denver, Colorado, 80222, United States
University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States
University of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky, 40536, United States
University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48106, United States
University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
University of Texas Southwestern

Dallas, Texas, 75390, United States
Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Nashville, Tennessee, 37232, United States
Washington University

St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States
Western Orthopaedics

Denver, Colorado, 80218, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.