Rotator Cuff Repair — (Type I and Type II) and Isolated Subscapularis Repair

UW Health Sports Medicine · UW Health Sports Rehabilitation; UW Health Sports Medicine Physician group

Weight-Bearing

N/A (shoulder surgery)

Key Restrictions

Type I: sling 4-8 weeks, no AROM, no active abduction 8 weeks, no supraspinatus resistance 12 weeks. Type II: sling 6-8 weeks, no AROM, no active abduction 9-10 weeks, no supraspinatus resistance 14 weeks. No lifting/supporting body weight. EMG-guided exercise selection throughout.

Timeline & Phases

Type I — Phase I (0-2 wks): sling, PROM ≤15% EMG; Phase II (2-4 wks): PROM progression; Phase III (8-12 wks): AAROM/AROM initiation; Phase IV (3-5 mo): full ROM, gradual strengthening; Phase V (18-22 wks): high demand/RTS. Type II — same structure but 2-4 weeks more conservative at each phase (AROM delayed, abduction restricted longer).

Notes

Single document covering Type I (smaller/better quality), Type II (larger/more complex), and isolated subscapularis repair. EMG-based exercise selection (≤15%, ≤30%, 30-49%, >50%) at each phase. Sling duration decided jointly by physician and PT based on tear size, tissue quality, and stiffness. No publication date in document.

Surgeon / Author

UW Health Sports Rehabilitation; UW Health Sports Medicine Physician group