Rotator Cuff Repair and Range of Motion – Info from Louisville Orthopedic

Research on Rotator Cuff Repair and Range of Motion Following Surgery, published in Orthopedics, and lead by Dr. J. D. Harris (2013) and colleagues, examined 274 male and female patients following rotator cuff tear repair. Rotator cuff tears range from small to large in size.  Findings included the following: Large tears were stiffer in forward elevation and external rotation following surgery at 3 months, 6 months and 1 year later.

Individuals with small tears tend to experience restoration fo full forward elevation about three months after surgery whereas it tends to be about 6 months for those with medium and larger rotator cuff tears.

Shoulder range of motion following surgery varies significantly depending on rotator cuff tear size.  Researchers conclude that this information should be used to manage the expectations of patients undergoing arthroscopic surgery for rotator cuff repair to increase satisfaction rates.  For more information, see: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23380011

Leave a Reply