The Effect of Early Scapular Training on Shoulder Joint Function after Surgery for Rotator Cuff Injuries: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the impact of early scapular rehabilitation training in patients after rotator cuff injury. Furthermore, it sought to analyze the application of this approach in promoting surgical site healing and enhancing shoulder joint function recovery.

Methods: This retrospective study obtained the clinical data from 74 patients who underwent rotator cuff repair between July 2022 and June 2024. Patients were divided into two experimental groups: the control group (n = 35), including those who underwent routine rehabilitation exercises after rotator cuff repair, and the exposed group (n = 39), who received scapular training exercises. The patients were followed up and examined at 8 weeks and 16 weeks after surgery. The range of motion (adduction and abduction), shoulder muscle strength (adduction and abduction), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, and the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder scales were compared between the two groups before rotator cuff repair.

Results: We observed that after 8 weeks of treatment-post-surgery, both the groups showed significant improvement in the range of motion (adduction and abduction) and the muscle strength (adduction and abduction) within the shoulder joint compared with those observed before treatment (p < 0.05). After 16 weeks of treatment, the range of motion (adduction and abduction) and shoulder muscle strength (adduction and abduction) further improved compared to those observed after 8 weeks of treatment (p < 0.05). After 8 weeks and 16 weeks of treatment, the University of California shoulder joint scores in both groups were significantly better compared to those before treatment (p < 0.05), and the VAS score significantly decreased (p < 0.05), with the effects after 16 weeks of treatment being better than those observed after 8 weeks (p < 0.05). Additionally, there was no difference in the overall incidence of complications between the two groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: Early scapular training, following rotator cuff injury, is beneficial in functional recovery of shoulder joint function, which improves rehabilitation outcomes and ultimately promotes patient prognosis.