Graft Jacket Rotator Cuff Reconstruction Protocol
Preoperative Goals
- Full Range of motion
- Normal Scapular/GH/Clavicular glides
- 0 to minimal edema
- Improve Peri-Scapular muscle strength
- Independent in HEP
Treatment:
- Modalities to reduce inflammation/pain(Vasopneumatic)
- Grade 2, 3 mobilization GH, Scapula, Clavicle
- ROM exercises Passive/Active Assist/Active (pendulums, cane exercises, pulley, wall slides)
- Peri-Scapular muscle PRE’s(scapular retraction, gentle Theraband for retraction, extension, adduction, abduction)
- Education in HEP/edema control
- Post-operative Day of Surgery
Goal:
- Control edema
- Initiate elbow, wrist and hand and shoulder shrug exercises for early ROM
- Use immobilizer all the time except for performing exercises, squeeze exercise ball as much as possible
PHASE I (Week 0-2)
- Shoulder – Phase 1 home exercises
- wrist, elbow and hand exercises
- squeeze exercise ball as much as possible
PHASE Ia (Week 2-4)
- Shoulder – PROM supine scapular plane
- Codman pendulum exercises
- Scapular mobilization
- Flex: to tolerance 0 – 90 degrees
- Abduction: 0 – 90 degrees
- ER: 0 -30 degrees at modified neutral (do not stretch ER/IR) consider initiating pool where available
- Extension and Horizontal Adduction: Avoid
- Scapula – AROM scapular shrugs, scapular retraction, scapular depression
- Elbow/Hand – AROM Flex/ext in neutral and hand strengthening
PHASE Ib(Week 4-6)
- Shoulder – PROM (supine)
- Flex: to tolerance 0 – 120 degrees
- Abduction: maintain at 90 degrees until ER increases to 45 degrees then progress abduction to 120 degrees
- ER: 0 – 45 degrees at modified neutral. Slowly increase abduction position during ER/IR to 80 – 90 degrees by 4 weeks. No aggressive stretching.
- Be VERY cautious with IR to avoid tension on the Infraspinatus if repaired.
- Ext and Horizontal Adduction: Avoid
- Grade 1,2 GH mobilization in anterior, posterior, inferior directions for pain and spasms
- Scapula – AROM scapular shrugs, scapular retraction, scapular depression.
- Elbow/hand – Sub-max isometrics elbow flex/ext in neutral shoulder position
PHASE Ic(Week 6-8)
- PROM (supine)
- Flex: to tolerance 0 – 180 degrees or equal to uninvolved side
- Abduction: 150 – 180 degrees w/ deviation toward scapular plane
- ER: 70 – 90 degrees; IR: 40 – 60 degrees
- Ext: 30 degrees without stretching, Horizontal Adduction: Avoid Supine stabilization exercises for the scapular muscles
- Scapula – AROM scapular shrugs, scapular retraction, scapular depression
- Elbow/Hand – Sub-maximal Isometric elbow flex/ext in neutral shoulder position
- progress to gentle Isotonics:
- 2-5 lb. BC curls and yellow Theraband Tricep pull-downs
PHASE II(Week 8-12)
- Full ROM is allowed for PROM, AAROM, and AROM. Focus on proper technique and progress as tolerated.
- No resistance exercises for the Rotator Cuff until week 14
- Progress stabilization exercises to standing for the scapular muscles
- Scapula – Peri-Scapular PRE’s(Rhomboids, Middle/Lower Trapezius, Lats, Serratus Anterior etc.)
- Elbow/Hand – Progress to 6 lb curls and increase resistance w/ triceps pull-downs
PHASE III(Week 12 – 16)
- Initiate light Rotator Cuff PRE’s (14 weeks)at 0 degrees abduction w/ Theraband and progress to moderate resistance
- Progression of standing stabilization exercises
- Progress Bicep/Tricep/Peri-Scapular strength/conditioning
- Add PNF movements
PHASE IIII(Week 16-20)
- Moderate Rotator Cuff PRE’s at 30 degrees abduction w/ Theraband and progress to high resistance at 60 degrees abduction
- Progression of standing stabilization exercises
- Progress Bicep/Tricep/Peri-Scapular strength/conditioning
- Begin UBE
- Begin closed chain stability exercises
PHASE V(Week 20-24)
- High resistance Rotator Cuff PRE’s at 90 degrees abduction w/ Theraband
- Begin plyometric exercises
- Progression of standing stabilization exercises
- Progress Bicep/Tricep/Peri-Scapular strength/conditioning
- Progress UBE/closed chain stability exercises
- Add gym exercises
- Initiate sport specific training/job related tasks