Rotator Cuff Repair — Massive Rotator Cuff Repair (>5 cm)

Lahey Hospital & Medical Center · M. Lemos, MD; E. Lang, PT, DPT

Weight-Bearing

N/A

Key Restrictions

Abduction sling until wk 6; no AAROM or pendulums wks 0-7; no rotator cuff strengthening until 12 wks; no overhead lifting until 1 year; subscapularis variant: no passive ER >0 deg in Phase I

Timeline & Phases

Wks 0-7 (protective/PROM only); Wks 7-10 (AAROM/initiate AROM); Wks 10-12 (gentle strengthening); 4+ months (progressive return to activity)

Notes

Conservative protocol due to high re-tear rate (Bedi et al: up to 94%); strengthening delayed to allow Sharpey fiber formation; return to light weights 6-8 months; overhead and sport restriction until 1 year

Surgeon / Author

M. Lemos, MD; E. Lang, PT, DPT

Published

2019-12