Rotator Cuff Repair — Arthroscopic and Open Rotator Cuff Repair

Mountain Orthopaedics · Mountain Ortho Clinical Team

Weight-Bearing

N/A; sling and swathe full time wks 1-6; sling daytime / swathe for sleep wks 5-6; discontinued end of wk 6

Key Restrictions

No active shoulder motion until wk 5-6; no lifting with operative hand until wk 6-8; avoid full cuff stress 4 months; no ballistic activities or push/pull exercises long term

Timeline & Phases

Wks 1-2 (sling, hand/wrist/elbow ROM only); Wks 3-4 (PT begins, passive ROM); Wks 5-6 (AAROM, sling weaned); Wks 6-8 (AROM, eccentrics arm weight only); Wks 8-12 (progressive resistance up to 5 lbs); Wks 13-16 (HEP, up to 10 lbs); Wks 17-20 (up to 20 lbs); Wks 21-24 (up to 40 lbs); Wk 24+ (return to throwing/racket sports)

Notes

Throwing sports progression at 6-9 months; push-ups/pull-ups/bench press generally not advised long term for older patients due to recurrent tear risk

Surgeon / Author

Mountain Ortho Clinical Team