Shoulder Labral Repair Rehabilitation Protocols
18 Shoulder Labral Repair rehabilitation protocols from 10 institutions, published 2009–2025. Weight-bearing progressions vary by institution — compare them in the table below before selecting a protocol.
Compare by institution
| Institution | Weight-Bearing | Key Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Children's Hospital of Philadelphia — Arthroscopic Bankart… | Sling at all times including sleep except bathing and PT x 6 wks; D/C sling no sooner… | No active FF or ER Phase I (wks 0-6); no passive ER at 90 deg ABD Phase I; no WB/closed chain through… |
| Massachusetts General Hospital — Anterior Bankart Repair | Sling at all times (neutral rotation, 30-45 deg ABD); sleep in sling x 6 wks; shower with… | No shoulder AROM Phase I; no lifting/carrying objects x 12 wks; no reaching behind back; no supporting body… |
| Massachusetts General Hospital — Anterior Bankart Repair… | N/A | Sling at all times wks 0-6 (sleep in sling 6 wks); no AROM until Phase III (wk 6); no carrying/lifting until… |
| Massachusetts General Hospital — Posterior Bankart Repair | Sling per surgeon, typically 4-6 wks; wean Phase II (wks 5-6); discharge sling Phase III… | No IR Phase I; no horizontal adduction Phase I-III; no UE weight bearing Phase I-II; no overhead activities… |
| Massachusetts General Hospital — Posterior Bankart Repair… | N/A | Sling 4-6 wks per surgeon; NO IR and NO horizontal adduction Phases I-II; no UE weight-bearing Phases I-II… |
| Massachusetts General Hospital — SLAP Repair (Type II) | Sling with abduction pillow (30-45 deg ABD) x 6 wks; neutral rotation | No AROM/AAROM Phase I; no biceps contraction (elbow AROM) x 6 wks; ER <30 deg scapular plane Phase I; ER <45… |
| NYU Langone Health — Arthroscopic Anterior Labral Repair… | N/A | Sling 24 hrs/day x4 wks then wean x2 wks; PROM restricted (90 deg elevation / 30 deg ER at 0-3 wks; 120 deg /… |
| NYU Langone Health — Arthroscopic Posterior Shoulder… | N/A | No ROM 0-4 wks; sling 0-8 wks; all strengthening kept below horizontal plane until 12 wks; return to sports… |
| Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center — Anterior… | Sling per surgeon; ER ≤30 deg x 6 wks | ER limited to 30 deg x 6 wks; ROM progression not forced; no jogging until wks 10-12; no Olympic lifting or… |
| Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center — Arthroscopic… | Sling per surgeon; no lifting per surgeon guidance | ER in scapular plane: ≤15 deg wks 1-2, ≤30 deg wks 3-4, ≤50 deg wks 5-6, 90 deg wks 7-9; excessive ER above… |
| Samaritan Athletic Medicine (SAM Health, Corvallis OR)… | N/A (upper extremity) | Sling worn outside PT at all times; no shoulder IR or horizontal adduction past neutral for ~6 wks; no… |
| UCLA Department of Orthopaedic Surgery - Sports Medicine… | N/A (upper extremity) | Sling with abduction pillow x 4 wks (unless directed otherwise); no pendulum exercises; no active ROM x 8… |
| University of Colorado Anschutz (CU) — Anterior Bankart Repair | — | Sling x 6 wks including sleep; no ER/IR isometrics 0-4 wks; no combined abduction + ER at 4 wks; posterior… |
| University of Colorado Anschutz (CU) — Posterior Bankart… | — | Sling x 6 wks including sleep; no IR past midline x 4 wks; no ER isometrics until 8+ wks; no ER/IR PREs until… |
| University of New Mexico Sports Medicine — Posterior Labral… | Sling/immobilizer at all times wks 0-2; sling during day wks 2-4 (OK to remove at night)… | No PT wks 0-6 (home program only); keep arm in front of body out of sling — do NOT reach behind back; IR… |
| University of Virginia Orthopaedic Surgery — Posterior Labral… | NWB surgical UE | Sling at all times except HEP and PT; sleep in sling; do not reach arm behind back; IR limited to 45° until… |
| University of Virginia Orthopaedic Surgery — SLAP Repair /… | NWB surgical UE | Sling 6 weeks; sleep in sling 3 weeks; no active ER/extension/abduction; no resisted biceps (elbow… |
| University of Washington Medical Center — Bankart Repair and… | Sling x 4 wks while sleeping and walking; D/C at wk 4 unless hyperlax | No lifting >coffee cup (8 oz) x 4 wks; no active or resisted IR if open Bankart; ER limited to 25% of… |
All 18 Shoulder Labral Repair protocols
Labral Repair — Arthroscopic Bankart Repair
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Labral Repair — Anterior Bankart Repair
Massachusetts General Hospital
Labral Repair — Anterior Bankart Repair — Pediatric
Massachusetts General Hospital
Labral Repair — Posterior Bankart Repair
Massachusetts General Hospital
Labral Repair — Posterior Bankart Repair — Pediatric
Massachusetts General Hospital
Labral Repair — SLAP Repair (Type II)
Massachusetts General Hospital
Labral Repair — Arthroscopic Anterior Labral Repair (Bankart)
NYU Langone Health
Labral Repair — Arthroscopic Posterior Shoulder Stabilization / Labral Repair
NYU Langone Health
Labral Repair — Anterior Shoulder Stabilization (Bankart / Remplissage / Latarjet)
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Labral Repair — Arthroscopic SLAP Repair
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Labral Repair — Posterior Glenoid Labral Repair
Samaritan Athletic Medicine (SAM Health, Corvallis OR)
Labral Repair — Anterior and Posterior Labral Repair / Capsulorrhaphy
UCLA Department of Orthopaedic Surgery - Sports Medicine
Labral Repair — Anterior Bankart Repair
University of Colorado Anschutz (CU)
Labral Repair — Posterior Bankart Repair
University of Colorado Anschutz (CU)
Labral Repair — Posterior Labral Repair (Arthroscopic or Open)
University of New Mexico Sports Medicine
Labral Repair — Posterior Labral Repair
University of Virginia Orthopaedic Surgery
Labral Repair — SLAP Repair / Bankart Repair / Biceps Tenodesis (2023 Update)
University of Virginia Orthopaedic Surgery
Labral Repair — Bankart Repair and SLAP Repair
University of Washington Medical Center