The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of locally used cryotherapy in treatment of patients with the painful shoulder, resulting from rotator cuff pathology. Material and methods: 20 patients participated in the physiotherapy programme for two weeks. The programme consisted of daily applications on the local cryotherapy and exercises. In all patients before and after the therapy the following evaluations were carried out: active motion range in the shoulder joints, hand grip strength, pain intensity and chosen functional tests. Conclusions: after the physiotherapy patients reported an increase of muscle strength and pain reduction. In the examined group gender and age were irrelevant as far as obtaining better therapeutic results was concerned.