11/27/2025
Why I don’t recommend surgery for every tear 🩺
Not every injury needs an operation and that’s especially true for shoulder tears.
Many tears improve significantly with physical therapy alone. Some partially heal, and even those that don’t can still become symptom-free through proper strengthening and rehab.
Take the rotator cuff, for example:
✅ Some partial tears heal on their own.
✅ Even full tears may not need surgery if pain and strength improve with therapy.
✅ A 6–12 week course of focused physical therapy often restores shoulder function.
Surgery is reserved for cases where pain, weakness, or limited motion persist despite consistent rehab.
For most patients, movement, not surgery, is the first step toward recovery.
Follow for more orthopedic insights on shoulder injuries, physical therapy, and recovery options.