Rotator Cuff Repair — Small to Medium Tear (< 3 cm)

Samaritan Athletic Medicine (SAM Health, Corvallis OR) · Sara Tomlinson PT DPT SCS; Dr. Christopher McCrum

Weight-Bearing

N/A (upper extremity)

Key Restrictions

Sling at all times until PT-cleared; no active UE movement Phase I-II; PROM only: flexion <=120 deg Phase I / <=140 deg Phase II, ER <=45 deg Phase I / <=60 deg Phase II; sling DC no sooner than 6 wks; no lifting >10-15 lbs Phase III-IV; subscapularis repair: ER to neutral only, no abduction until Phase III; biceps tenodesis: no loaded elbow flexion/supination until 6 wks

Timeline & Phases

5 phases: Phase I (0-4 wks), Phase II (4-8 wks), Phase III (8-10 wks), Phase IV (10-16 wks), Phase V (16-24 wks); 6-9 months total rehab

Notes

ASETT-based; PT starts 7-10 days post-op for activity modification review; Phase II: submaximal RTC activation (~25% MVIC), sling wean beginning wk 6; Phase III: early/late strengthening at ~50-75% MVIC, jogging at 8-10 wks; Phase IV: CKC progressions (incline plank, quadruped); Phase V: UE plyometrics (med ball, plyo ball), return to sport criteria-based; fist grip emphasis for proximal GH stability; Developed by Sara Tomlinson PT DPT SCS & Dr. Christopher McCrum; reviewed Sept 2024

Surgeon / Author

Sara Tomlinson PT DPT SCS; Dr. Christopher McCrum

Published

September 2024