SLAP Repair — SLAP Lesion Repair

UW Health Sports Medicine · Marc Sherry, PT, DPT, LAT, CSCS; UW Health Sports Medicine physician group

Weight-Bearing

N/A (shoulder surgery)

Key Restrictions

Sling immobilization; no long head biceps tension for 6 weeks (no long lever arm flexion, no resisted supination or elbow flexion); ER to 40° in neutral for first 4 weeks; no ABD with ER for 6 weeks; Dr. Scerpella: no forward flexion >130° for 6 weeks

Timeline & Phases

Phase I (0-4-6 wks): sling, no biceps tension 6 wks, ER to 40° neutral; Phase II (6-12 wks): full ROM, gradual biceps tension from weeks 6-8; Phase III (10 wks+): 5/5 RC at 90°, no overhead sports; Phase IV (16 wks+): high velocity, plyometrics; Phase V (22 wks+): sport-specific, RTS (80-90% return to throwing/contact sports per literature)

Notes

Long head biceps protection is the critical restriction for 6 weeks. Type II SLAP is most common type requiring surgery. Posterior capsule tightness common; monitor and treat throughout. Surgeon-specific note for Dr. Scerpella patients. Marc Sherry, PT, DPT, LAT, CSCS. Copyright 2011.

Surgeon / Author

Marc Sherry, PT, DPT, LAT, CSCS; UW Health Sports Medicine physician group

Published

2011-03