Background: Grade III rotator cuff tears present substantial diagnostic and therapeutic challenges and may prompt early consideration of operative treatment. The present clinical evaluation describes a structured non-operative protocol designed to achieve functional recovery while avoiding surgical morbidity.

Methods: A cohort of 300 patients diagnosed with Grade III rotator cuff tears underwent clinical assessment supported by high-resolution ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. Management consisted of 6 weeks of controlled sling-pouch immobilization followed by a 3-week phased rehabilitation programme. Week 1 emphasized gentle supine stretching; Week 2 progressed to controlled forward flexion and abduction in supine and standing positions; and Week 3 incorporated targeted subscapularis and infraspinatus stretching with progressive functional mobilization. Patients with persistent, severe pain despite oral analgesia were considered for targeted subacromial corticosteroid infiltration.

Results: All 300 patients completed the initial immobilization phase and were reported to achieve full range of motion by Week 3 of rehabilitation (9 weeks from protocol initiation). Eighty-four patients (28.0%) required subacromial steroid infiltration for severe pain. Thirty-six patients (12.0%) reported minor, self-limiting residual discomfort. The source clinical evaluation reports no subsequent surgical conversion during 6-month follow-up.