Do interstitial rotator cuff tears heal on their own or is surgery needed?

[Doomsday]

I got an MRI taken because of shoulder pain when I do certain motions and it said that I have an interstitial tear of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus at the musculo-tendinous junction. It said that the tendons are intact and there is no full thickness tear of any of the rotator cuff tendons.

So my question is...do interstitial rotator cuff tears heal on their own or is surgery needed? If surgery is not needed would PT help (ultrasound, massage, heat, ice, strengthening, etc.)? Or is surgery the only way this will heal?

Will this be a permanent injury and the interstitial rotator cuff tears will NEVER heal?

I have had this pain for about 6 weeks now. My doctor won't be able to go over the results with me until he gets back from vacation.

 

[the_alcatraz]

Take some time off....for real!

 

[Doomsday]

I also have a posterior labrum tear from the 8 to 11 o clock position. My doc said it's a coincidence I have both and the torn labrum may or may not be causing the interstitial rotator cuff tears. He said he can repair the labrum but there's nothing he can do to repair the interstitial rotator cuff tears. He said they will just heal on it's own.

2 questions:

1. Do you agree with my doc that there's not a surgical procedure that can fix my interstitial rotator cuff tears and that they will just heal on their own?

2. Do you think the torn labrum is causing my interstitial rotator cuff tears?

 

[Tweakle]

If your doc says no surgery, I'd take that option. Drs usually push the other direction

Mine healed by themselves after a few months of rehab (20 rep DB work, lots of RC work 5 days a week and 2 ius of GH ED)

 

[the_alcatraz]

If your doc says no surgery, I'd take that option. Drs usually push the other direction

very true, but I'd suggest you get a second opinion.