Hi Again ryanman,
You're welcome...

You asked:
In your experience, is it possible to fully recover from a cuff tear without surgery?
Yes, it is possible, I've done it. With that said though, my tear was a minor one. Anyway, when I rehabbed it, I did so diligently and thankfully, it paid off - no surgery needed whatsoever.

To better address your inquiries, here's something I found on the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons site. It will answer your questions more authoritatively than I can.

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Can a rotator cuff tear be healed or strengthened without surgery?

Many rotator cuff tears can be treated nonsurgically. Anti-inflammatory medication, steroid injections, and physical therapy may all be of benefit in treating symptoms of a cuff tear. The goals of treatment are to relieve pain and restore strength to the involved shoulder.


Even though most tears cannot heal on their own, satisfactory function can often be achieved without surgery.


If, however, you are active and use your arm for overhead work or sports, then surgery is most often recommended because many tears will not heal without surgery.


At what point does a rotator cuff tear require surgery to fix it?


Surgery is recommended if you have persistent pain or weakness in your shoulder that does not improve with nonsurgical treatment. Frequently, patients who require surgery will report pain at night and difficulty using the arm for lifting and reaching. Many will report ongoing symptoms despite several months of medication and limited use of the arm.


Surgery is also indicated in active individuals who use the arm for overhead work or sports. Pitchers, swimmers, and tennis players are common examples.

What options are available for surgical repair?


The type of repair performed is based on the findings at surgery. A partial tear may require only a trimming or smoothing procedure called a débridement. A full-thickness tear within the substance of the tendon can be repaired side to side. If the tendon is torn from its insertion on the humerus, it is repaired directly to bone.


Three techniques are used for rotator cuff repair: traditional open repair, mini-open repair, and arthroscopic repair.


Your orthopaedic surgeon can recommend which technique is best for you.


How important is rehabilitation in the treatment of a rotator cuff tear?


Rehabilitation plays a critical role in both the nonsurgical and surgical treatment of a rotator cuff tear.


When a tear occurs, there is frequently atrophy of the muscles around the arm and loss of motion of the shoulder. An exercise or physical therapy program is necessary to regain strength and improve function in the shoulder.


Even though surgery repairs the defect in the tendon, the muscles around the arm remain weak, and a strong effort at rehabilitation is necessary for the procedure to succeed.


Complete rehabilitation after surgery may take several months.


Your orthopaedic surgeon can prescribe an appropriate program based on your needs and the findings at surgery.


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I spoke with one of my best friends (who's a medical doctor - specifically, an anesthesiologist) about this and he told me that one of his best friends, who's an orthopedic surgeon, told him that when it comes to surgery on the joints (and their associated tendons & ligaments, etc), the shoulder is the most tenuous one of all and yields the most uncertain outcome as a result.

While the goal of surgery is to correct/improve/remove an ailing condition, when it comes to the shoulder, there's a "higher than normal" chance that the condition you were in prior remains relatively the same as it was before surgery OR worse yet, gets worse as a result of it. It's a roll of the dice...

So, for what it's worth, I'd give all non-surgical means of rehab and recovery an honest and patient effort before even considering surgery.

Well, I hope the non-surgical protocols work for you. You have my best wishes...

Take Care,
Lito