PT Snacks Podcast: Physical Therapy with Dr. Kasey Hankins
You only have X amount of time in a given day. If you are a Physical Therapist or a Student Physical Therapist, you may also find that the time and energy you have left is precious, but the list of concepts you want to review or learn is endless. Build the habit of listening to small, bite-sized pieces of information to help you study, and save you time to live the rest of your life. Kasey Hankins, PT, DPT, OCS will be covering anatomy, arthokinematics, therapeutic exercise, patient education, and so much more. Tune in to learn on a time budget so you can continue to move your practice forward!
PT Snacks Podcast: Physical Therapy with Dr. Kasey Hankins
179. Rotator Cuff Tears 101: Partial vs. Full Thickness & What It Means for Your Patients
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Not all rotator cuff tears are the same, and understanding why can completely change how you set expectations and build a plan with your patients. In this episode, we break down tendon anatomy and physiology, the different ways rotator cuff tears develop (degenerative vs. traumatic), the difference between partial- and full-thickness tears, and the factors that influence healing and prognosis for both conservative and surgical patients.
In this episode you'll learn:
- What a tendon actually is and why its structure (and blood supply) matters for healing
- The difference between degenerative and traumatic rotator cuff tears
- Risk factors that make someone more likely to develop a tear
- Articular-side vs. bursal-side partial thickness tears — and why bursal tears tend to hurt more
- What "massive" and "irreparable" tears mean, and how outcomes differ
- Predictors of good outcomes with conservative care (hint: baseline ROM and strength matter)
- A quick look at steroid injections vs. PRP for rotator cuff tears
Test yourself:
- What is a tendon's main job, and what structures help it do that job?
- What are the main categories of rotator cuff tears?
- What are the two types of partial thickness tears, and how do they differ?
- What factors affect healing after a rotator cuff tear — for both conservative and surgical patients?
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MedBridge is also celebrating their 15-year anniversary, with tons of CEU courses for PTs, OTs, and SLPs — plus built-in exam prep for OCS, SCS, and other specialty certifications. Don't wait — this offer is only live for two weeks!
Resources:
- 📋 Free rotator cuff study guide
- 📱 Follow along on TikTok @ptsnackspodcast for visual study tools
- ✉️ Questions or topic requests? Email ptsnackspodcast@gmail.com or join the email list for episode highlights
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