Rotator Cuff Repair Surgeon in San Juan Capistrano CA
Rotator cuff tears are commonly caused by acute injuries or degenerative changes that occur slowly with age or overuse. Dr. Sohn provides diagnosis and individualized nonoperative and operative treatments for the shoulder including rotator cuff repair in San Juan Capistrano CA. Dr. Sohn also provides the highest level of care during and after surgery. Contact Dr. Sohn’s office for an appointment today!
By Roger Sohn, MD
Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
Comprehensive care for partial tears, full-thickness tears, and tendon degeneration.
What is the Rotator Cuff and How Does it Tear?
The rotator cuff is a group of 4 muscles in the shoulder joint including the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. These muscles originate on the scapula and attach to the head of the humerus. The rotator cuff insertion forms a tendinous sleeve around the humerus, providing stability to the shoulder joint while enabling a wide range of movements.
Our Treatment Philosophy
Rotator cuff tears develop for many reasons - age-related tendon changes, repetitive motion, poor mechanics, or a sudden injury on top of years of gradual weakening. Because no two tears behave the same, our treatment plans are highly personalized, combining modern surgical techniques, biologic options, and a whole-body optimization strategy to give your tendon the best chance to heal and stay healthy long-term.
1. Biologic & Non-Surgical Options
Not every rotator cuff tear requires immediate surgery. For some patients - especially those with painful degenerative tendons or mild partial tears - biologic treatment can help reduce pain and improve tendon quality.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
PRP is often an excellent first-line option for:
- Partial-thickness tears
- Tendinosis or degenerative tendon pain
- Patients trying to delay or avoid surgery
PRP improves the tendon’s biologic environment, decreases inflammation, and may help prevent tear progression. PRP is also sometimes used as an adjunct to surgery to support healing.
2. Surgical Treatment for Partial Tears
Partial tears often behave more like full tears especially when it comes to pain. In many cases, surgery offers the best chance to restore strength and protect the long-term integrity of the shoulder.
I use advanced techniques that preserve as much of the native tissue as possible. This includes:
- In-situ (percutaneous) repair techniques to preserve remaining healthy tissue
- Reinforcement patches for added support
These procedures are minimally invasive and are tailored to restore tendon mechanics and prevent the tear from progressing.
3. Surgical Repair for Full-Thickness Tears
When the tendon is fully detached or when strength loss affects daily life, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair becomes the most reliable solution. Using small incisions, I reattach the torn tendon to bone with modern suture anchors and evaluate all surrounding structures, including the biceps tendon and subacromial space.
The success of repair depends not only on the technique but also on the quality of the tissue - which is where reinforcement options can make a meaningful difference.
4. Reinforcement & Biologic Enhancement Options
These treatments are used during surgery when the tendon needs additional strength, better biology, or a more robust healing scaffold.
Collagen Patch (Regeneten)
A bioinductive collagen implant placed over the repaired area to stimulate tendon thickening. This is a reliable, minimally invasive reinforcement for both partial and full-thickness tears with thinner tendon tissue.
Biceps Tendon Autograft Patch
A more advanced option. I can repurpose a small portion of the biceps tendon - tissue that would otherwise be discarded - to create a living, biologic patch directly over the repair.
Advantages include:
- Uses your own tissue
- Provides robust reinforcement
- Integrates naturally
- Ideal for PASTA lesions and larger partial tears
Bone Marrow Concentrate (BMAC)
Collected during surgery and applied to the repair site, BMAC delivers concentrated healing cells to support tendon healing and long-term durability. It can be used alone or layered with patch augmentation.
5. Optimization: Our Concierge Approach to Healing
This is where our practice truly stands apart.
Successful rotator cuff treatment depends on more than surgical technique. Tendons heal better when the whole patient is optimized. During our optional in-depth consultation, we evaluate modifiable factors that directly influence healing:
- Metabolic factors (insulin resistance, glucose control)
- Hormone evaluation
- Nutritional support for collagen production
- Detailed lab review to identify hidden obstacles to healing
- Timing and pacing of recovery to match your life and support system
6. What Makes Our Approach Different
What sets our practice apart is the depth and clarity of the treatment pathway we offer. Patients aren’t forced into a single solution - instead, we provide a full spectrum of options, from PRP for early degeneration to advanced surgical repair for partial tears such as PASTA lesions, and full-thickness rotator cuff tears. When surgery is needed, we don’t rely on a one-size-fits-all approach. We offer multiple reinforcement strategies - including collagen patches and biceps tendon autograft - so each repair is tailored to the specific tendon quality and tear pattern. Biologics are used thoughtfully and only when they provide real value, not as a trend or gimmick. Finally, we pair every treatment plan with a deep-dive optimization process to ensure the tendon heals in the best possible environment. The goal is not only to reduce pain now, but to restore durable strength and protect the long-term health of your shoulder.
Rotator Cuff Treatment Options