The well-trained orthopaedic surgeon and the average person on the street have a very different concept of the term “rotator cuff tear.” For the accountant, attorney, or someone who routinely goes to the gym, the term is seen as a major injury likely to require expensive and painful surgery resulting in months of rehab. However, to the orthopaedic surgeon, specifically the shoulder specialist, rotator cuff tears are simply a normal part of aging for a large part of the population, most of which will never even be identified. According to the Cleveland Clinic, over 2 million Americans experience some type of rotator cuff problem annually and in 2023, 750,000 of these rotator cuff tears needed to be repaired surgically (SmartTrak 2023).
Despite the injury’s pervasiveness and oftentimes, lack of symptoms – nearly two-thirds of all rotator cuff tears can be completely asymptomatic – many people will still require treatment. Nonoperative treatment has been shown to be effective for atraumatic tears – a major boon as traditional options for surgical treatment have often come at a high cost while still falling short of delivering optimal outcomes. It has been shown that rotator cuff repair management is best performed at the guidance of a shoulder specialist as opposed to initial management by a generalist or PCP. A study analyzed the cost-effectiveness of rotator cuff repair surgery in workers’ compensation patients. Treatment costs were analyzed from the date of initial injury through all evaluations, diagnostic studies, surgical reconstruction and physical therapy, and researchers found that:
- Average cost of medical care by a generalist was $50,302.25 per patient with average time to return to unrestricted duty from the date of injury 11 months.
- Patients referred immediately to a specialist had lower costs averaging $25,870.64 and returned to work in about 7 months.
The clear economic burden of rotator cuff tears extends beyond just the direct costs of surgical intervention. There are often additional expenses related to rehabilitation, post-operative care, and potential complications such as a re-tear. The difficulty lies in that rotator cuff tears can be a complex clinical challenge, with treatment outcomes influenced by various factors like tear size, patient age, and tissue quality. Historically, surgical intervention has been the primary option for addressing symptomatic tears that have failed conservative management, with mechanical repairs aimed at restoring tendon integrity and function.
Reflecting on the evolution of rotator cuff repairs, many orthopedic surgeons have seen progress over the past few decades. In previous years, rotator cuff repairs were uncommon given that surgical repair options were far more limited. Orthopedic surgeons initially performed open repairs, during which they would put sutures through bone and tie down the offending tendons. It was rudimentary, but the outcomes were impressive. Technology has improved drastically in the last 20 years with improved equipment, devices and implants allowing most surgeons to regularly perform efficient and mechanically sound repairs with a minimally invasive arthroscopic technique.
Despite these advancements, however, the quest for improved patient outcomes continues, driving researchers and clinicians to explore innovative approaches to rotator cuff repairs. Recent insights into the pathophysiology of rotator cuff injuries have highlighted the limitations of traditional approaches, spurring interest in biologic solutions that target the underlying mechanisms of tissue degeneration and healing.
Exploring New Treatment Modalities
Today, most procedures utilize arthroscopes, which are precise and minimally invasive. Additionally, imaging has improved ten-fold, and anchoring systems are strong. However, there are new methods that prioritize patient recovery, comfort, and long-term relief as well as improve healing of the tendon to bone.
- Injectable treatments, such as corticosteroids, PRP and Stem Cells, offer a non-surgical alternative for managing symptomatic rotator cuff tears. These therapies provide pain relief and anti-inflammatory effects, helping patients manage their symptoms while facilitating the natural recovery process within the shoulder joint. While injectables may not address the underlying tendon pathology, they can serve as valuable adjuncts to conservative care strategies, particularly in patients with mild to moderate symptoms. Although data is still lacking in consistency and reproducibility for PRP and Stem Cells, many remain optimistic in their future roll.
- Emerging biologic scaffolds such as Hyaluronic Acid (HA) based tissue-engineered matrices are beginning to gain popularity. Unlike collagen-based implants, and traditional mechanical repairs requiring suture fixation, the HA-based scaffolds provide a supportive framework for tissue regeneration by utilizing Hyaluronic Acid (HA) and facilitating the formation of new tendon-like tissue and promoting long-term healing. By harnessing the body’s innate regenerative capacity, biologic scaffolds hope to offer a potential solution for improving the durability and functionality of rotator cuff repairs, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and reduced rates of re-tear. Current research is focusing on location of these scaffolds on top of repairs vs. between the tendon and bone as well as the appropriate scaffold material and fixation methods.
By considering both the clinical and economic implications of various treatment modalities, orthopedic providers can optimize resource allocation and enhance the value of care delivery for patients with rotator cuff injuries.
Looking Ahead
As rotator cuff treatment evolves, ongoing research efforts are focused on advancing understanding of tendon biology, refining surgical techniques, and developing innovative biologic therapies. Embracing a multidisciplinary approach that integrates biomechanical principles with biologic insights will help orthopedic providers optimize patient outcomes and redefine the standard of care for rotator cuff repair surgery in those patients who have failed conservative management. With continued innovation and collaboration, the future holds promise for a standard of personalized and effective treatments that empower patients to regain function, mobility, and their overall well-being.

Christopher E. Baker, M.D.
Dr Baker is a Sports Medicine and Shoulder Reconstruction specialist practicing in Tampa, Florida. Board certified by the ABOS and a Fellow of the AAOS he is a partner at the Florida Orthopaedic Institute and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of South Florida. He focuses his time on caring for patients with all manner of shoulder pathology including arthroscopic, fracture care and arthroplasty surgery of the shoulder. He is heavily involved in research and design of new and emerging orthopeadic procedures and technology.