Rotator Cuff Repair Rehab Protocol (Conservative)

Keys to a Successful Outcome

• Do not push range of motion exercises early in therapy.  Moving the shoulder too far, too early, can disrupt the repair.

• The rehabilitation process should not be too painful.  If it is, you may be doing too much.

• Care should be taken to not place too much load on the repair.  It takes one year for the tendon to heal to the bone, and lifting too much before that time can disrupt the repair as well.  This is the most common mechanism of failure.

*to be worn day and night; off for hygiene and exercises

**can discontinue 6 weeks from surgery

***If a distal clavicle excision is performed, horizontal adduction is restricted for 8 weeks post-op

****If a biceps tenodesis is performed, avoid active flexion of biceps and eccentric loads on biceps for 6 weeks post-op