This document summarizes the philosophy and techniques for arthroscopic treatment of rotator cuff tears. It discusses restoring the balance between the functional demands on the shoulder and the capacity of the rotator cuff by lowering demands, increasing cuff capacity, or repairing tears. Various tear patterns such as partial, full thickness, crescent, U-shaped, and massive contracted tears are described. Surgical techniques including debridement, acromioplasty, margin convergence, and interval slides are outlined. Good results are reported for small and medium tears, and massive tears with less fatty infiltration, while irreparable tears may require tendon transfers or arthroplasty.