Do You Really Need Surgery for Atraumatic Rotator Cuff Tears with Dr. Michael Knudsen

Is surgery always the answer for a full-thickness rotator cuff tear? In Ep. 19, Dr. Michael Knudsen breaks down the 10-year MOON study outcomes. Join host Tim Tyler and Donis Gil as they sit down with Dr. Knudsen, an orthopedic surgeon at Columbia University, to discuss the evidence-based management of atraumatic rotator cuff tears. We explore why patient expectations matter more than tear size, the crucial difference between traumatic and degenerative tears, and advanced clinical examination techniques. Chapter Highlights:00:00 - Introduction to Dr. Michael Knudsen & the MOON Group study 06:00 - Traumatic vs. Atraumatic Rotator Cuff Tears 09:00 - Special Tests: Bear Hug, Lag Signs, and Belly Press 18:00 - Epidemiology: 26 million tears, but only 2% get surgery 20:00 - 10-Year MOON Study Outcomes: Expectations vs. Tear Size 46:00 - PT Pearls: Scapular kinematics and neuromuscular control Guest Bio:Dr. Michael Knudsen is an Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Columbia University and an attending at New York Presbyterian Hospital. He is a member of the American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES). Resources:MOON Shoulder Group PT Guidelines: https://moonshoulder.com (Visit our website for full transcripts and CEU information). Disclaimer:This podcast is for educational purposes and not medical advice. Consult a professional for personal health decisions.