Published by Commons Clinic. [Web version](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/rotator-cuff-tear-physician-questions/) Reviewer names are abbreviated. Patient reviews describe individual experiences. Review counts describe source records, not unique patients or clinical outcomes; the acquired snapshot may not include complete platform histories. Clinical education and patient accounts do not replace a consultation. Shoulder # Rotator cuff tear: what should you ask a shoulder physician? A good discussion separates pain relief, strength, tendon healing and the recovery demands of each option. Published by Commons Clinic · Updated October 20, 2026 · 5 min read [Questions to ask ↓](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/rotator-cuff-tear-physician-questions/#consultation-questions) [Patient experiences ↓](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/rotator-cuff-tear-physician-questions/#patient-experiences) In this guide 1. [Find out what the tear means for your shoulder](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/rotator-cuff-tear-physician-questions/#guide-section-1) 2. [Compare symptom improvement with tendon repair](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/rotator-cuff-tear-physician-questions/#guide-section-2) 3. [Ask what makes repair possible and worthwhile](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/rotator-cuff-tear-physician-questions/#guide-section-3) 4. [Plan for the protection phase](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/rotator-cuff-tear-physician-questions/#guide-section-4) 5. [Make the nonsurgical plan measurable too](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/rotator-cuff-tear-physician-questions/#guide-section-5) 6. [Explore our shoulder and sports medicine team](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/rotator-cuff-tear-physician-questions/#guide-section-6) 7. [Ask what an injection changes about future options](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/rotator-cuff-tear-physician-questions/#guide-section-7) 8. [Separate symptom improvement from tendon repairability](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/rotator-cuff-tear-physician-questions/#guide-section-8) [Go to your consultation questions ↓](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/rotator-cuff-tear-physician-questions/#consultation-questions) ## Find out what the tear means for your shoulder Rotator cuff tears vary in size, depth, cause and the quality of the surrounding tissue. An injury with new weakness can raise different questions from a tear that developed gradually. Tell the clinician when symptoms began and what changed after any specific event. Ask the physician to connect the examination with the images. Which tendon is involved? Is the main limitation pain, stiffness or loss of strength? Bring examples such as lifting a pan, reaching a shelf or controlling a tennis serve. These details help clarify the treatment goal. Sources: [AAOS OrthoInfo: Rotator Cuff Tears](https://www.orthoinfo.org/diseases--conditions/rotator-cuff-tears/) ## Compare symptom improvement with tendon repair Rehabilitation can improve pain and function in selected patients even though it does not necessarily close a full-thickness tear. Surgery attempts to repair the tendon when the tissue and overall circumstances make that reasonable. These are different treatment goals. The 2025 AAOS guideline supports meaningful improvement with either rehabilitation or repair in selected small-to-medium tears, while also recognizing that tear size and muscle changes can progress during longer-term nonsurgical care. Ask what that evidence means for your tear and how the shoulder would be monitored if you choose rehabilitation. Sources: [AAOS: Management of Rotator Cuff Injuries Clinical Practice Guideline](https://www.aaos.org/rccpg2025) ## Ask what makes repair possible and worthwhile Tear size, tendon retraction, muscle condition and tissue quality can affect the discussion. Ask whether the proposed operation is a complete repair, partial repair or a different strategy, and why. If additional biceps or joint problems are present, ask whether they change the plan. Discuss the possibility of incomplete healing or another tear, along with infection, stiffness and other surgical risks. Ask what outcome is realistic for pain and for strength separately. A reassuring explanation can acknowledge uncertainty without leaving you unsure about the purpose of the operation. Sources: [AAOS OrthoInfo: Rotator Cuff Tears—Surgical Treatment Options](https://www.orthoinfo.org/treatment/rotator-cuff-tears-surgical-treatment-options/) ## Plan for the protection phase A small skin incision does not mean the tendon is ready for immediate use. Repair rehabilitation usually progresses through protection, assisted or permitted motion, active movement and later strengthening. The timing depends on the repair and your surgeon’s protocol. Ask how you will dress, sleep, bathe and manage work while the arm is protected. If you care for someone, use a walking aid or rely heavily on that arm, raise it before scheduling. Make sure your therapist receives the actual operation details and restrictions. Sources: [AAOS OrthoInfo: Rotator Cuff Tears—Surgical Treatment Options](https://www.orthoinfo.org/treatment/rotator-cuff-tears-surgical-treatment-options/) ## Make the nonsurgical plan measurable too If rehabilitation is the first step, ask what it will target and when the shoulder should be reassessed. Track a few relevant tasks, night symptoms and clinician-selected strength or motion measures. Ask what change would make surgery worth revisiting. Bring prior therapy instructions, injection dates, medication information and any earlier shoulder images. If opinions differ, ask which feature of the tear or your goals explains the difference. You should understand both the recommendation and the alternative well enough to discuss the decision in your own words. ## Explore our shoulder and sports medicine team At Commons Clinic, Dr. Eric Millstein, Dr. Allyson Estess and Dr. Christopher Combs provide shoulder care, including arthroscopic procedures. Dr. Millstein and Dr. Estess describe rotator cuff repair within their clinical focus. Their profiles and the patient experiences below offer more context as you choose a physician who can explain the options and stay connected through recovery. ## Ask what an injection changes about future options Mayo Clinic describes corticosteroid injections as a possible source of temporary relief, while also raising concerns about tendon strength and later surgery. If an injection is offered, ask how its short-term purpose fits with the longer-term plan for the tear. Bring the dates, location and response to previous shoulder injections. Ask whether another injection would affect the timing or choice of an operation, and which alternatives could help you participate in therapy. The answer should reflect the tendon being treated and your overall health; an injection that helps someone else may not answer the same question for you. Sources: [Rotator cuff injury: Diagnosis and treatment](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rotator-cuff-injury/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350231) ## Separate symptom improvement from tendon repairability HSS discusses how tear size, muscle changes and delay can affect the difficulty of a repair. Feeling somewhat better after therapy and having a tendon that remains repairable are related but different issues. Ask how the team will judge each if you choose to continue nonsurgical care. Have the surgeon explain what is known about your tear now and what would prompt reassessment. If repair is recommended, ask which findings shape the expected result and what uncertainty remains about healing. Discuss how the plan would change if the tendon cannot be repaired as expected, so possible alternatives are understood before surgery. Sources: [Rotator Cuff Surgery: How It Works and Recovery Time](https://www.hss.edu/health-library/conditions-and-treatments/torn-rotator-cuff-surgery) Make the most of your visit ## Questions to bring to your consultation Choose the questions that matter most to you. Bring them along, and ask us to explain anything that is unclear. - Which tendon is torn, and how does that fit my weakness or pain? - What do retraction, muscle condition and tissue quality mean for repair? - What could rehabilitation improve without repairing the tear? - How would we monitor the shoulder if I wait? - What operation are you proposing, including any biceps treatment? - What could limit tendon healing or leave symptoms behind? - How will protection, motion and strengthening be staged? - What help will I need with daily tasks and return to work? - Would another injection affect the timing or options for a later repair? - How will we monitor function and repairability if I continue therapy? - What is the alternative plan if the tendon cannot be repaired as expected? ## Sources & further reading - [AAOS OrthoInfo: Rotator Cuff Tears](https://www.orthoinfo.org/diseases--conditions/rotator-cuff-tears/) - [AAOS: Management of Rotator Cuff Injuries Clinical Practice Guideline](https://www.aaos.org/rccpg2025) - [AAOS OrthoInfo: Rotator Cuff Tears—Surgical Treatment Options](https://www.orthoinfo.org/treatment/rotator-cuff-tears-surgical-treatment-options/) - [Rotator cuff injury: Diagnosis and treatment](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rotator-cuff-injury/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350231) Mayo Clinic - [Rotator Cuff Surgery: How It Works and Recovery Time](https://www.hss.edu/health-library/conditions-and-treatments/torn-rotator-cuff-surgery) Hospital for Special Surgery We use these medical sources to help explain your options and prepare you for a conversation with our team. Our guides feature our own clinicians; patient reviews describe individual experiences. [Read as Markdown](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/rotator-cuff-tear-physician-questions/index.md) Meet our team ## People behind your care. [**Eric S. Millstein, MD** Orthopedic Surgeon, Joints & Sports Medicine](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/eric-millstein/) [More about Eric S. Millstein ↗](https://commonsclinic.com/physicians/eric-millstein/) [**Allyson Estess, MD** Orthopedic Surgeon, Sports Medicine](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/allyson-estess-md/) [More about Allyson Estess ↗](https://commonsclinic.com/physicians/allyson-estess-m-d/) [**Christopher Combs, MD** Orthopedic Surgeon, Joints & Sports Medicine](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/christopher-combs-md/) [More about Christopher Combs ↗](https://commonsclinic.com/physicians/christopher-combs-md/) Explore our clinicians, then talk with us about your symptoms, goals, and the care you need. Patient experiences ## Experiences, *in their words.* Hear from patients about our clinicians, the conversations they had, and the support they received. Excerpt > Very nice and caring staff. B. Woods Rating: 5/5 · Source: Google · Date: September 17, 2026 [Reviewer’s Google activity](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/105156036338465159872/place/ChIJt04grlG5woARykBaakD_dF8) Source link type: reviewer place Attributed clinician: Eric S. Millstein, MD On the care experience: staff and team support Excerpt > Extremely knowledgeable, attentive, and kind. R. Geltz Rating: 5/5 · Source: Google · Date: June 25, 2026 [Reviewer’s Google activity](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/105458833978214234911/place/ChIJnyoB9x5L3YAREV8eH7Wj8ZA) Source link type: reviewer place Attributed clinician: Allyson Estess, MD On the care experience: kindness and care Excerpt > Her staff are amazing, if I can give this office 10 ⭐️ I would. R. Urrutia Rating: 5/5 · Source: Google · Date: May 22, 2026 [Reviewer’s Google activity](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/116589223500605385764/place/ChIJnyoB9x5L3YAREV8eH7Wj8ZA) Source link type: reviewer place Attributed clinician: Allyson Estess, MD On the care experience: staff and team support Excerpt > he thoroughly explained my shoulder issues, reviewed my options, and answered my concerns. B. Robinson Rating: 5/5 · Source: Google · Date: April 9, 2026 [Reviewer’s Google activity](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/106993523668980501221/place/ChIJt04grlG5woARykBaakD_dF8) Source link type: reviewer place Attributed clinician: Eric S. Millstein, MD On the care experience: The reviewer reports clear explanation and options at a shoulder consultation. Excerpt > He is the kindest and calmest! L. Cristobal Rating: 5/5 · Source: Google · Date: August 9, 2025 [Reviewer’s Google activity](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/100686029554548438558/place/ChIJH2XhMeQy3YARbezZye2vIhY) Source link type: reviewer place Attributed clinician: Christopher Combs, MD On the care experience: kindness and care Excerpt > He is kind and patient and very knowledgeable. P. Nardo Rating: 5/5 · Source: Google · Date: June 26, 2025 [Reviewer’s Google activity](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/111153017107708452932/place/ChIJH2XhMeQy3YARbezZye2vIhY) Source link type: reviewer place Attributed clinician: Christopher Combs, MD On the care experience: kindness and care Keep exploring ## Your next *good question.* More guidance to help you understand your options and plan your next step. Shoulder ### [Frozen shoulder: finding care that explains the slow recovery](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/frozen-shoulder-care/) When stiffness disrupts sleep and everyday movement, a clear plan and realistic checkpoints can make a long recovery less confusing. [Read the guide](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/frozen-shoulder-care/) Shoulder ### [Pain at the front of the shoulder: questions about the biceps tendon](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/biceps-tendon-shoulder-pain/) The biceps tendon can be part of a wider shoulder problem. A useful consultation explains what is injured and what each option is intended to change. [Read the guide](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/biceps-tendon-shoulder-pain/) Shoulder ### [Shoulder instability and labral injury: choosing a treatment plan](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/shoulder-instability-labral-tear/) The treatment should address why the shoulder slips, not simply the word “tear” in an imaging report. [Read the guide](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/shoulder-instability-labral-tear/) Meet the clinicians ## Explore your *next conversation.* [![Eric S. Millstein, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/assets/eric-millstein.jpg)](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/eric-millstein/) Orthopedic Surgeon, Joints & Sports Medicine ### [Eric S. Millstein, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/eric-millstein/) Santa Monica [Meet Eric S. Millstein](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/eric-millstein/) [![Allyson Estess, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/assets/allyson-estess-m-d.jpg)](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/allyson-estess-md/) Orthopedic Surgeon, Sports Medicine ### [Allyson Estess, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/allyson-estess-md/) Marina del Rey · Torrance · Long Beach – Bixby Knolls [Meet Allyson Estess](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/allyson-estess-md/) [![Christopher Combs, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/assets/christopher-combs-md.jpg)](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/christopher-combs-md/) Orthopedic Surgeon, Joints & Sports Medicine ### [Christopher Combs, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/christopher-combs-md/) Lakewood · Long Beach – Douglas Park [Meet Christopher Combs](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/christopher-combs-md/) ## Publisher & attribution Commons Clinic Reviews is operated by Commons Clinic. 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