A minor tear of the supraspinatus tendon may heal on its own without treatment, but a serious tear of the supraspinatus tendon is recommended to be treated promptly to avoid aggravation of the condition. Tears of the supraspinatus tendon can occur when the tendon is subjected to violent external force or after long-term strain, resulting in shoulder pain, swelling and impaired joint movement. If the degree of tear is mild, most of the cases can be healed by reducing the activities of the shoulder joint, paying attention to rest and other conservative ways to alleviate the symptoms and promote its recovery. If the tear is more severe, treatment such as tendon suturing is needed, otherwise it may lead to a complete tear of the supraspinatus tendon, resulting in pain and dysfunction that cannot be relieved. Patients with supraspinatus tendon tears need to be examined to understand the extent of their injury and follow their doctor’s recommendations for treatment. If a patient who has not been treated finds that the pain is not relieved or is getting worse, he or she should go to the hospital for treatment.