Best quote from Rotator Cuff Tears: 2025 AAOS Care Roadmap & Treatment Guidelines
For symptomatic small to medium full-thickness tears, both physical therapy and surgery result in significant improvements, but over five to ten years of non-operative management, the tear size can progress and lead to permanent muscle atrophy.
This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member
Teaching on assessment, testing, investigation, diagnosis and physiotherapy treatment of rotator cuff tears
Frequently Asked Questions
The latest American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) guidelines, published in August 2025, provide an evidence-based roadmap for managing rotator cuff tears. These guidelines help clinicians navigate the complexities of shoulder pain treatment by focusing on current research. They address everything from the initial clinical investigation to the critical decision-making process between surgical intervention and non-operative options like physical therapy to ensure patients receive the most effective care available.
Not necessarily. According to the 2025 care roadmap, there is a significant debate regarding physical therapy versus surgery. Interestingly, many people over the age of sixty have rotator cuff tears visible on an MRI without experiencing any pain or symptoms. The latest evidence-based medicine suggests that both physical therapy and surgery are viable options, and the choice depends on whether the shoulder requires surgical repair or can be managed through conservative functional rehabilitation.
Shoulder pain is a major health concern in the U.S., accounting for over 4.5 million doctor visits annually. Rotator cuff tears become increasingly common as people age, often acting as a rite of passage. By age sixty, more than half of the population may have a tear. Because many of these tears are asymptomatic, the 2025 AAOS guidelines are essential for distinguishing between normal age-related changes and conditions that require orthopaedic surgery.
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
![[PDF] MSK Shoulder Assessment Clinical Pathway - Alberta Health Services](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fd1y2du6z1jfm9e.cloudfront.net%2Fassets%2Fpodcast%2Fgreen.png&w=1024&q=50)
