[Partial lesions of the supraspinatus tendon : which treatment ?]

Partial rotator cuff lesions are a common feature. The radiological assessment of choice is MRI with arthrography accompanied by ABER (abduction, external rotation) images. At present, there is no consensus on the management of these lesions and surgery remains a second-line treatment for patients who do not respond to conservative treatment. If done properly, conservative treatment is effective for most patients. For lesions less than 50% of the tendon thickness (grades 1 and 2) we recommend physiotherapy and possibly infiltration of the subacromial bursa. For all lesions above 50% (grade 3), if conservative treatment failed, we propose arthroscopic suture of the lesion.