Comparison of nonsurgical treatment approaches for partial rotator cuff tears: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Study Summary

22 studies including 1137 patients with partial-thickness rotator cuff tears (PT-RCTs) were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis comparing physical therapy (PT) with injection-based treatments, including cell-based and non-cell-based therapies. Pooled outcomes included the Constant Score (CS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain. PT demonstrated significantly better shoulder function than injection therapy based on CS, although no significant difference was observed in ASES scores. Among injection treatments, cell-based therapies demonstrated superior functional outcomes compared with non-cell-based injections, with improvements exceeding clinically meaningful thresholds. Overall, PT remained an effective nonsurgical treatment option, while cell-based injections showed promising benefits, supporting individualized treatment decisions.