Rotator Cuff Repair — Small Tear, No Retraction (≤2 cm)

University of Delaware Physical Therapy · UDPT Clinical Team

Weight-Bearing

Sling 24 hrs/day week 1; sling in crowds weeks 2-4; D/C sling weeks 5-8

Key Restrictions

No IR behind the back (towel stretch); no resisted ABD for 8 weeks; no heavy resisted flexion for 6 weeks; passive ER/IR at 90° ABD per surgeon; no additional precautions for distal clavicle excision

Timeline & Phases

Week 1 (no formal PT, sling, Codman exercises); Weeks 2-4 (2-3x/week, 6-9 visits: PROM, AROM except ABD, scapular stab); Weeks 5-8 (1-3x/week, 10-21 visits: ABD progression, D/C sling, PREs all except ABD); Weeks 9-10 (1-3x/week, 13-30 visits: PREs all motions, dynamic stab); Weeks 12-16 (1x/week, 18-35 visits: full ROM, MMT 5/5); Weeks 17-24 (sport/work specific); 18-35 visits total

Notes

University of Delaware PT Clinic; uncomplicated small tear: supraspinatus repair + subacromial decompression; secondary: distal clavicle excision; GHJ mobs grade III/IV if hypomobile (inferior glide), grade I/II if normal mobility; full PROM horizontal ADD/flexion/ABD and normal GHJ mobility target by weeks 2-4; full AROM and scapulohumeral rhythm by weeks 5-8; return to sport/work weeks 17-24

Surgeon / Author

UDPT Clinical Team