The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect on patient treatment decision-making if information was given based on the benefit or on the side effect in rotator cuff disorders.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients diagnosed with rotator cuff tears at their first clinical visit

Exclusion Criteria:

• patients with a previous shoulder surgery, patients with worker's compensation and patients who were unwilling to participate and thereby not sign informed consent

patients with diagnosis of rotator cuff tears documented by MRI