By Deborah Westergaard, MD | Pain Experts When the Goal to Avoid Rotator Cuff Surgery Becomes the Next Logical Step You have shoulder pain. You complete physical therapy. You modify activity. You may try medication or injections. The pain persists. An MRI confirms a rotator cuff tear. You consult an orthopedic surgeon. Surgical repair is recommended. This recommendation is often appropriate. Surgeons are highly trained in reconstructing torn tissue. When structural failure is