Introduction: Rotator cuff tears are a common cause of pain and functional limitation of the shoulder joint, particularly in middle-aged and older adults. The consequences include reduced muscle strength, limited range of motion, and decreased quality of life. Treatment may be conservative, focusing on physiotherapy and exercise therapy, or surgical, and the optimal approach often remains a matter of debate. Clinical outcomes also depend on tear size, patient age, and duration of symptoms. Purpose: The aim of this thesis was to compare the effectiveness of conservative and surgical treatment for rotator cuff tears. Methods: A literature search was conducted in the PubMed database using selected keywords. Randomized controlled trials published after 2010 comparing conservative and surgical treatment of rotator cuff tears were included. Results: Five randomized studies, with a total of 696 shoulders, were included in the review. All studies reported a clinically significant improvement in shoulder function and a reduction in pain following both conservative and surgical treatment. In small to medium-sized, predominantly degenerative tears, no statistically significant differences between the two approaches were generally observed. However, in patients with full-thickness tears, surgical treatment more frequently resulted in greater improvements in pain, function, and certain quality-of-life indicators. Physiotherapy was a key component of both therapeutic approaches. Discussion and conclusion: Conservative treatment is an effective first-line option, particularly for smaller and degenerative tears and for older patients, while surgical treatment is more appropriate for extensive tears or when conservative therapy fails. Physiotherapy significantly influences functional outcomes regardless of the chosen treatment. The decision regarding the therapeutic approach should be individualized according to tear size, clinical presentation, age, and the patient's functional demands. Further research with larger, more homogeneous samples and longer follow-up periods is needed to establish more precise clinical guidelines.
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