Rotator Cuff Repair
Rotator cuff tears come in all shapes and sizes. Most can be managed arthroscopically. My philosophy in rehab for this surgery is that the tendon must heal sufficiently before it is stressed. Larger, more retracted tears will be managed more conservatively. No NSAIDs for 4 weeks.
1-14 days: Sling at all times. Hand, wrist, and elbow ROM as tolerated. Keep incisions covered, sponge bath only. Ice at least three times daily, twenty minutes at a time. No smoking or other nicotine products. No driving.
2-6 weeks: Continue sling and hand, wrist and elbow ROM. Continue icing. May shower out of the sling. May remove sling if resting quietly at home.
5-12 weeks: May discontinue sling. May begin driving. Continue icing if necessary. May start NSAIDs. Initiate directed physical therapy for Active/Active Assist ROM. No strengthening.
12-16 weeks: Continue improving ROM with PT, no strengthening. Be careful lifting, no long lever arm activities.
4-6 months: Strengthening phase of directed PT. Keep improving ROM. May increase lifting capacity.
6 months +: Increase strength. May begin lifting as tolerated and return to activities as tolerated. While significantly improved, end result will take 12-18 months to obtain.
1-14 days: Sling at all times. Hand, wrist, and elbow ROM as tolerated. Keep incisions covered, sponge bath only. Ice at least three times daily, twenty minutes at a time. No smoking or other nicotine products. No driving.
2-6 weeks: Continue sling and hand, wrist and elbow ROM. Continue icing. May shower out of the sling. May remove sling if resting quietly at home.
5-12 weeks: May discontinue sling. May begin driving. Continue icing if necessary. May start NSAIDs. Initiate directed physical therapy for Active/Active Assist ROM. No strengthening.
12-16 weeks: Continue improving ROM with PT, no strengthening. Be careful lifting, no long lever arm activities.
4-6 months: Strengthening phase of directed PT. Keep improving ROM. May increase lifting capacity.
6 months +: Increase strength. May begin lifting as tolerated and return to activities as tolerated. While significantly improved, end result will take 12-18 months to obtain.