The Shoulder Physio Podcast

#41: Rotator cuff tears with Doctor John Kuhn

Nov 25, 2024

50:13

In this episode of The Shoulder Physio podcast, I am joined by Dr John Kuhn, who is an orthopaedic surgeon and researcher from the United States. Doctor Kuhn and his colleagues, through the MOON shoulder group, have published several high impact studies investigating the management of individuals with rotator cuff tears and the results of these studies have caused some controversy (good controversy, that is).

Rotator cuff tears are ubiquitous in musculoskeletal health care. They are both common and often burdensome, so it is important that shoulder surgeons and physiotherapists can agree on best practice management, for the betterment of the individual with the rotator cuff tear. So do John and I agree or not? Listen to find out.

Don't miss this wonderful episode with Doctor John Kuhn.

Key Papers:

Kuhn et al; MOON Shoulder Group. Effectiveness of physical therapy in treating atraumatic full-thickness rotator cuff tears: a multicenter prospective cohort study. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2013 Oct;22(10):1371-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2013.01.026. Epub 2013 Mar 27. PMID: 23540577; PMCID: PMC3748251.

Dunn WR et al; MOON Shoulder Group. 2013 Neer Award: predictors of failure of nonoperative treatment of chronic, symptomatic, full-thickness rotator cuff tears. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2016 Aug;25(8):1303-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2016.04.030. PMID: 27422460.

Kuhn JE et al. The Predictors of Surgery for Symptomatic, Atraumatic Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears Change Over Time: Ten-Year Outcomes of the MOON Shoulder Prospective Cohort. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2024 Sep 4;106(17):1563-1572. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.23.00978. Epub 2024 Jul 9. PMID: 38980920.

Kuhn, 2023. Prevalence, Natural History, and Nonoperative Treatment of Rotator Cuff Disease