Rotator Cuff Repair — Large to Massive Tears

iOrtho

Weight-Bearing

Sling day and night with abduction pillow (30-45 deg) wks 1-6; gradually removed wks 6-10 with surgeon clearance

Key Restrictions

Same restrictions as small-medium RCR; subscapularis repair: no ER >0 deg, no ABD >90 deg in Phase I; more cautious progression for multi-tendon tears; no empty can position ever; no straight arm lateral raise

Timeline & Phases

Phase I (Wks 1-6 immobilization), Phase II (Wks 6-10 PROM), Phase III (Wks 10-18 AAROM/AROM + isometrics wks 14-18), Phase IV (Wks 18-22 initial strengthening), Phase V (Wks 22-26 advanced strengthening), Phase VI (Wks 26-30 RTS)

Notes

Identical timeline to small-medium RCR but more conservative progression; concomitant subscapularis repair requires extra ROM caution in Phase I

Published

August 2024