Rotator cuff tears are the most common source of shoulder pain and loss of function of the shoulder girdle, including decreased range of motion and strength. They can occur due to both traumatic injury in young patients and degenerative disease in elderly patients. Diagnosis can be suspected clinically, based on history and clinical examination. Specific clinical tests of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and the subscapularis are of great value. However, confirmation is required by imaging modalities, among which magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) represents the most accurate imaging tool. Once diagnosed, treatment depends, among other factors, on the severity and chronicity of symptoms, size of the tear, degree of muscle atrophy and muscle degeneration, patient age, and activity level.