Labral Repair — Bankart Repair and SLAP Repair

University of Washington Medical Center · UWMC Shoulder and Elbow Team

Weight-Bearing

Sling x 4 wks while sleeping and walking; D/C at wk 4 unless hyperlax

Key Restrictions

No lifting >coffee cup (8 oz) x 4 wks; no active or resisted IR if open Bankart; ER limited to 25% of opposite shoulder early, progressing to 33% wks 3-4, 50% wks 5-6; no lifting >gallon of milk (8 lbs) wks 5-6; no elbow flexion >90 deg with push-ups (push-up plus only); stationary bike in sling; no IR up the back if open Bankart

Timeline & Phases

Staged weekly progression: POD 1-3 (hand squeezes, elbow/wrist AROM, supported pendulums, scap retraction), POD 4-14 (AAROM FF 90 deg, ER 25% contralateral), Wks 3-4 (FF 120, ER 33%), Wks 5-6 (D/C sling, FF >120, ER 50%), Wks 7-9 (AROM full, RTC tubing/theraband ≤60 deg), Wks 10+ (progressive strengthening, sport-specific)

Notes

.edu site; covers Bankart AND SLAP in same protocol; open Bankart: no active/resisted IR; hyperlax: keep sling beyond wk 4; ER progression as % of contralateral side (25% → 33% → 50% → full); BAPS board on hands; body blade in scaption; pool walking/running noted; 2009 (older but from major academic center)

Surgeon / Author

UWMC Shoulder and Elbow Team

Published

Revised January 2009