Conservative Rehabilitation Provides Superior Clinical Results Compared to Early Aggressive Rehabilitation for Rotator Cuff Repair: A Retrospective Comparative Study

Medicina (Kaunas). 2019 Jul 24;55(8):402. doi: 10.3390/medicina55080402.

Abstract

Background and objectives: To compare the long term clinical outcomes, range of motion (ROM) and strength of two different postoperative rehabilitation protocols after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) for full-thickness rotator cuff (RC) tears. Materials and Methods: Patients undergoing RCR were divided into two groups. In 51 patients (56 shoulders), rehabilitation was performed without passive external rotation, anterior elevation ROM, and active pendulum exercises in the first 2 weeks after surgery (Group A). In 49 patients (50 shoulders) aggressive rehabilitation was implemented, with early free passive external rotation, anterior elevation ROM, and active pendulum exercises were allowed from the day after surgery (Group A). Results: No statistically significant differences were found in clinical scores, muscle strength, passive forward flexion, passive and active internal/external rotation between the two groups. However, the mean active forward flexion was 167.3° ± 26° (range 90-180°) in group A and 156.5° ± 30.5° (range 90-180°) in group B (p = 0.04). Conclusions: A statistically significant difference between the 2 groups was found in active forward flexion ROM, which was better in patients of group A.

Keywords: accelerated protocol; arthroscopy; conservative protocol; outcomes; rehabilitation; rotator cuff; rotator cuff repair.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Conservative Treatment / methods
  • Conservative Treatment / standards*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Strength / physiology
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology
  • Range of Motion, Articular / physiology
  • Rehabilitation / methods
  • Rehabilitation / standards*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Rome / epidemiology
  • Rotator Cuff Injuries / epidemiology
  • Rotator Cuff Injuries / rehabilitation*
  • Rotator Cuff Injuries / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome