Results of nonoperative management of 18 patients with full-thickness tears of the rotator cuff proven by arthrographic examination are reported. Average age at first examination was 62.8 years. Patients were evaluated at an average of 2.1 years and 6.2 years. All patients were reviewed by questionnaire. Patients were evaluated according to their JOA score with the mean total score improving with time. Pain, ADL, elevation, internal rotation scores were all improved. At the first follow up, muscle strength was worse but at the last evaluation mean muscle strength score was higher than the one on the first examination. Conservative treatment produces satisfactory results when it is given to patients with a reasonable JOA score on first examination.
