How Should Shoulders Be Treated Post-Rotator Cuff Surgery?

For many years, immobilizing the shoulder has been standard protocol for rehabilitation post-rotator cuff tear surgery. It was believed that protecting the repaired tear post-surgery was most important. This left those recovering from surgery without any mobility in the shoulder for weeks after surgery.

Gentle Shoulder Movements After Surgery Can Help You Heal Faster

Things are changing though, as a study out of the Department of Orthopedics at The Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical College shows that passive movement does not inhibit the healing process. In fact, they concluded that patients who include early, protected motion in their recovery plan may recover their range of motion more quickly.

The American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Therapists suggests that extra caution be taken not to introduce weight bearing exercises when including range of motion exercises into their recovery plan. The consensus protocol for surgery rehabilitation says that the passive range of movement exercises can be done with a shoulder pulley to help gently increase range of motion while only using the weight of gravity.

Shoulder Pulleys are an Important Tool For Shoulder Rehabilitation

It’s clear that it’s not enough to simply keep the shoulder in one place after rotator cuff tear surgery. Patients and doctors should be taking a proactive approach to the healing process by establishing a treatment regimen that involves passive range of movement exercises.

The Pull-Easy™ shoulder pulley system is designed for patients with limited grasping ability due to injuries sustained within the shoulder complex or central nervous system. With its grip-free hold and pillow-soft foam wrist support, Pull-Easy™ is the perfect tool for gently beginning the process of restoring range-of-motion to the shoulder.

It can be ideal for anyone in the initial stages of shoulder rehabilitation, including:

• stroke survivors

• mastectomy patients

• those recovering from rotator cuff surgery

• those suffering from frozen shoulder

Also included:

• Comprehensive guide designed for both patient and caregiver-assisted exercise

• Choice of a compact, portable metal bracket or Thera-Loop™ anchor

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SOURCE: Shen, C., Tang, Z.-H., Hu, J.-Z., Zou, G.-Y., Xiao, R.-C., & Yan, D.-X. (2014). Does immobilization after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair increase tendon healing? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, 134(9), 1279–1285. doi: 10.1007/s00402-014-2028-2