By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published May 16, 2026 · 9 min read Watch the Full Video There is no shortage of recommendations for rotator cuff and shoulder pain — rest the shoulder, get a cortisone injection, try stem cells, get surgery, do physical therapy. But not all of these interventions are created equal, and some of the most popular options have very little evidence behind them. As a sports medicine physician practicing in the San Francisco Bay Area, I've helped thousands

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 6, 2025 · 7 min read Watch the Full Video Rotator cuff disease is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain, accounting for up to 70% of all shoulder complaints. The condition spans a wide spectrum — from tendinopathy and subacromial impingement to partial and full-thickness tears — and the vast majority of cases can be managed without surgery. But when pain is severe enough to prevent participation in physical therapy , injecti

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2025 · 6 min read Watch the Full Video If you are dealing with persistent shoulder pain — whether from a rotator cuff tear, tendinopathy, or impingement — your doctor may have recommended a cortisone injection. Cortisone is a well-established treatment that can provide quick symptom relief. But recent clinical evidence suggests that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may offer superior long-term results for many shoulder conditions. In t

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video For decades, surgery was considered the only reliable option for repairing torn tendons. Partial tears of the rotator cuff, in particular, present a clinical challenge because they rarely heal on their own and tend to worsen over time. However, emerging research suggests that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections may offer a compelling nonsurgical alternative — one that not only reduces pain

Most rotator cuff tears do not require surgery. Here’s what the research shows about non-surgical recovery, rehab, and when advanced treatments like PRP make sense.

Shoulder clicking is usually harmless. Here’s when it can signal a real problem — and what the research shows about rotator cuff tears and arthritis.

Written by Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD — Board-Certified Sports Medicine Physician Published: March 1, 2025 | Last Updated: March 1, 2025 Shoulder pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints I encounter in my sports medicine practice, and it is also one of the most misunderstood. Most shoulder problems do not develop from a single dramatic injury. Instead, they build gradually over time from tight muscles, poor movement habits, and the cumulative effects of everyday w