Rotator Cuff Repair

Weeks 1 - 2

 

• Passive range of motion 

• Soft tissue manipulation 

• Isometric exercises - 50%

• Initiate loading on elbows 

• Continuous passive Movement (CPM) - increasing 8° Flexion and 4° external rotation every other day. 

• Begin home exercise program

• Example exercises 

  • Isometric Flexion, Extension, External Rotation, Internal Rotation 

 

Weeks 3 - 4

• Increase Isometrics exercises to 100% 

• Cross friction massage to scars and adhesion tissue 

• Introduce assisted active range of motion - broomstick exercises

• Introduce quadraped loading (hands and knees) 

• Initiate sling removal - start with 1 hour out of the sling. 

• Scapular stability exercises

• Example Exercises 

  • Broomstick shoulder flexion, external rotation, quadraped rocking

 

Weeks 5 - 6

• Introduce resisted shoulder range of motion - Therabands 

• Introdcue Weighted exercises

• Introduce shoulder bike / UBE

• Establish full range of motion into flexion

• Introduction of frontal plane movement (lateral movement)

• Example Exercises

  • Broomstick exercises with Hold at the top, Theraband resisted flexion, extension, Internal rotation, External Rotation, biceps, triceps,

 

Weeks 7 - 8

• Establish full ROM into Abduction 

• Advance theraband exercises

• Continued to improve scapular activation (shoulder blade)

• Patient should be completely out of the sling

• Assisted circumduction exercises

• Advancing quadraped exercises (hands and knees)

 

Weeks 9 - 12

• Establish full ROM

• Improve strengthing in all planes

• Preparation  for work duties if needed

• Improve all ADLs that were effected post-op

• Preparation for work conditioning if needed.