Rotator Cuff Re-Tears: An Orthopedic Surgeon's Guide to Risk Factors & Surgical Decisions | The Sports Medicine Research Rundown - Ep. 15

Why do up to 21% of rotator cuff repairs fail? In this episode, we're joined by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Hoberman, a fellowship-trained expert from the Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine, to dissect the complexities of rotator cuff re-injury and poor surgical outcomes. Dr. Hoberman provides a surgeon's insight into the critical risk factors that every physical therapist and athletic trainer must understand, including age, smoking, diabetes, and the crucial role of fatty infiltration. We explore the clinical decision-making process, from initial evaluation and special tests to determining if a tear is truly "repairable."In This Episode, You Will Learn:(03:17) Key Risk Factors for Rotator Cuff Repair Failure(05:00) Understanding Fatty Infiltration and Its Irreversible Impact(10:10) Dr. Hoberman's Clinical Exam Protocol for Suspected Tears(16:37) Modern Classification of Tears & When to Augment a Repair(24:55) The Surgeon's Algorithm: When to Choose a Repair, Balloon, SCR, or Reverse Total Shoulder(39:23) Rehab Considerations for Different Repair Types (e.g., Subscapularis vs. Supraspinatus)Connect with Dr. Hoberman:Website: https://east.optum.com/providers/alexander-hoberman/Practice: Katonah, NYFellowship: Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic TraumaDisclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal health concerns.