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. 2022 May 28;58(6):729.
doi: 10.3390/medicina58060729.

Postoperative Rehabilitation Protocol Following Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Prospective Single-Arm Pragmatic Interventional Study

Hyunjoong Kim  1 , Seungwon Lee  2
Affiliations

Postoperative Rehabilitation Protocol Following Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Prospective Single-Arm Pragmatic Interventional Study

Hyunjoong Kim et al. Medicina (Kaunas). .

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Rotator cuff tear is the most common cause of shoulder pain. If nonsurgical treatment fails, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) is recommended. Since the standards for rehabilitation after ARCR are not clear, various rehabilitation methods have been suggested. This study intends to investigate the effect on the recovery phase of ARCR patients through a postoperative rehabilitation protocol (PRP) that considers the healing process and rehabilitation trend. Materials and Methods: This single-arm, pragmatic intervention study was conducted on 30 patients, two weeks postoperative day (POD) after ARCR. ARCR patients received intervention for six weeks from POD two-week, and pain intensity and shoulder function were evaluated at two-week intervals until POD 12-week, and range of motion (ROM) was evaluated at POD four-week and eight-week. Results: In this study, all variables improved over time (p < 0.05). As a result of the comparison between time points, a significant improvement was found in shoulder function at POD 6-week. In addition, the effect size had a large effect on ROM (flexion, scaption flexion, abduction, and external rotation) and shoulder function. Conclusions: Management through the PRP based on scientific evidence in the strategy of postoperative rehabilitation of patients with ARCR is effective for pain intensity, ROM, and shoulder function.

Keywords: arthroscopic surgery; manual therapy; rehabilitation exercise; rotator cuff injuries; shoulder pain.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
STROBE flow diagram.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Change in pain intensity over time. Values are expressed as mean and standard deviation (error bars).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Changes in shoulder function over time. Values are expressed as mean.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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