Correlation Between Age and Tendon Strength in Supraspinatus Tendon With Full-Thickness Tears

Degenerative tears of the rotator cuff tendons are a significant clinical problem, with an incidence of more than 30% in asymptomatic persons over the age of 60 [1]. As the population continues to age, the incidence of partial and full-thickness rotator cuff tears continues to increase [2], with previous studies finding that greater age also correlates with worse surgical outcomes and increased fatty degeneration in the tissue [3]. Although the relationship between age, rotator cuff injury, and poor treatment outcomes has been previously established, insufficient information exists on the biological and mechanical changes in the tissue due to aging.