From the Guidelines
Approximately 54% of women over the age of 60 have rotator cuff tears, and this percentage is likely higher in those over 70. This high prevalence increases with advancing age, with some studies suggesting that the percentage may be even higher in those over 80 years old 1. Many of these tears are asymptomatic, meaning women may have a tear without experiencing any pain or functional limitations. The high prevalence is primarily due to age-related degeneration of the tendon tissue, as collagen fibers weaken and blood supply to the rotator cuff diminishes over time. Other contributing factors include cumulative wear and tear from repetitive overhead activities throughout life, osteoporosis (which is more common in older women), and changes in shoulder biomechanics with aging. Some key points to consider include:
- The prevalence of rotator cuff tears increases with age, with more than half of asymptomatic patients aged 60 years or older having sustained rotator cuff tears 1
- The exact percentage of women over 70 with rotator cuff tears is not specified in the study, but it is likely higher than 54% due to the increasing prevalence with age
- Many rotator cuff tears can be managed conservatively with physical therapy, activity modification, and pain management strategies if they become symptomatic, especially in this age group.
From the Research
Prevalence of Rotator Cuff Tears in Women Over 70
- The prevalence of rotator cuff tears increases with age, with approximately 25% of individuals in their sixties and more than 50% of those in their eighties having full-thickness rotator cuff tears 2.
- A study found that the asymptomatic full-thickness tear rate is 40% in the over 75-year-old population 3.
- While there is no specific data on women over 70, it can be inferred that the percentage of women in this age group with rotator cuff tears is likely to be significant, given the increasing incidence of rotator cuff tears with age.
Risk Factors for Rotator Cuff Tears in Older Adults
- Older age is an independent factor strongly associated with rotator cuff retears, with the retear rate increasing substantially in patients ≥70 years old 4.
- Other risk factors for irreparable rotator cuff tears in patients older than 70 include longer symptom duration, longer duration of overhead sports activity, lower preoperative forward elevation of the shoulder joint, and shorter acromiohumeral interval (AHI) 5.
Clinical Outcomes of Rotator Cuff Repair in Older Adults
- Studies have shown that rotator cuff repair in patients aged >75 years can achieve high clinical success rates with good outcomes and pain relief, despite a high risk of retear 6, 3.
- Patients in this age group have demonstrated significant improvement in clinical and functional scores after rotator cuff repair, with a high satisfaction rate 3.