The rehabilitation training after rotator cuff surgery is mainly based on different periods.
1. Stage 1 (0-3 weeks) maximum protection: rehabilitation training includes suspension braking, hand, wrist, forearm and elbow joint adjacent joint mobility exercises, shoulder flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation and other directions of active assisted activities or passive activities and scapular stability training.
2. Stage 2 (3-7 weeks) Moderate protection: within the tolerable range, carry out active assisted exercises to increase the mobility of the shoulder joint in the directions of forward flexion, abduction and internal/external rotation, for example, practice forward flexion in the supine position with a gymnastic bar, and practice internal/external rotation with a gymnastic bar. Scapular stability training and isometric contraction of shoulder joint muscles with therapy ball.
3. Postoperative stage 3 (7-13 weeks) Early functional and muscle strength enhancement: continue to practice internal and external rotation and forward flexion with gymnastic rods, carry out functional mobility exercises, such as internal rotation behind the back, handing a towel, etc., and use elastic bands to practice shoulder extension, and carry out internal and external rotation with elastic bands based on the sufficient strength of the shoulder girdle.
4. Postoperative stage 4 (14-19 weeks) late muscle strengthening: continue isotonic exercises for the shoulder girdle muscles and rotator cuff musculature, including latissimus dorsi muscle pulling, using rowing machine, chest pushing machine training, as well as strengthening scapular stability exercises.
5. Postoperative stage 5 (20-24 weeks) return to exercise: maximize flexibility, strength and neuromuscular control, continue isotonic muscle strength exercises for the scapular girdle and rotator cuff musculature, continue flexibility exercises and stability training.
Rehabilitation after rotator cuff surgery is recommended to be done under professional guidance, so as not to aggravate the condition with improper training.