MOONSHOULDERGROUP
ForinformationregardingtheMOONShoulderGroup,
speaktosurgeonorcontact:
RosemarySanders
4200MedicalCenterEast
121521stAvenueSouth
VanderbiltUniversityMedicalCenter
NashvilleTN372328300
www.MOONShoulder.com
Version1.0AllIllustrationsbyJasperRichardson.
POSTOPERATIVE
ROTATORCUFFREPAIR
PROTOCOL
TherapistInstructions
Phase4:ResistedExercises
(1822)WeeksafterSurgery)
Phase4:ResistedExercises1822Weeks.
Theseexercisesincludescapulastrengtheningandlight
stretching.
RESISTEDSCAPULASTRENGTHENING
Scapulastrengtheningexercisesincludelockedelbowextensiontowork
thetrapezius,pressupplusreachingtowardtheceilingtoworkthe
serratus.Rowsmaybedonekneelingwithelasticbands ,anduprightwitha
handweight.Likeotherstrengtheningexercises,eachexerciseshouldbe
performedas1015
repetitions,followedby2minutesofrest,andrepeated
as34sets.Strengtheningexercisesshouldbedone3days eachweek.
SHOULDERSTRETCHING
Stretchingshouldbedonedaily.Holdeachstretchfor15seconds,restfor
15seconds,andrepeat5times.Thecornerstretchwillstretchtheanterior
shoulder.Thetowelstretch,cross bodystretch,andthesleeperstretchwill
stretchtheposteriorshoulder.Beginwithgentlestretching.After22
weeks,
aggressivestretchingmaybeusedifneeded.
IntroductionsfortheTherapist
TheMOONShoulderGroupisacollectionofshoulder
expertswhostudythebestmethodstotreatpatientswith
rotatorcufftears.YourPatientispartofastudyevaluating
theeectoftimingofpostoperativetherapyafterrotator
cuffrepair.
Thispatientistobegintherapy6weeksaftersurgery.
Thepatientshouldworkwiththetherapist13x/week
untilreleasedbythesurgeon.
Yourpatienthasreceivedahometherapyexercise
guide.THESEBEGINSIXWEEKSAFTERSURGERY.You
shouldreviewthishomeexerciseprogramwiththe
patient.
Donotaddorskipanypartofthisprogram.Ifyouhave
concerns,pleasecontactyoursurgeon.
GENERALINSTRUCTIONS:
Modalities
Level1evidencesupportstheuseofcryotherapy.Patients
areencouragedtousecryotherapyaftersurgery.
SlingUse
Aslingwithasmallpillowistobewornforsixweeksafter
surgery.Thesling
mayberemovedforshoweringand
activitiesasdirected.Theslingshouldbewornwhenthe
patientisinanuncontrolledenvironment:sleeping,around
children,pets,andcrowdsduringthesesixweeks.
InstructionsfortheTherapist
ActivityRestrictions
Showering:48Hours
Deskwork:Whencomfortablewithsling
Driving:Notuntilslingisoffat6weeks
UsingarmforActivitiesofDailyLiving:6weeks
Usingarmtoreachoverhead:12weeks
Usingarmtoreachbehindback:6weeks
Usingarmtocarryobjects:6weeks
Pushing/Pulling:6weeks
Sport/HeavyActivity:Whennishedwiththerapyprogram
ExerciseProgram
Therapyistobegin6weeksaftersurgery.
Exercisesshouldbeperformedonceperdayathomeorwitha
therapist.Theexerciseprogramisdividedintofour
timedependentphases.Donotadvanceintothenextphase
untiltheappropriatetimeaftersurgery.
Questions/Concerns
Ifyouhavequestionsorconcerns,pleasecontactthepatient’s
physician.Questionsorconcernsregardingtherehabilitation
protocolmaybesenttotheMOONShoulderGroupresearch
hub,listedonthebackofthisbook.
Phase4:ResistedExercises
(1822WeeksafterSurgery)
Phase4:ResistedExercises1822Weeks.
After18weeks,thepatientcanbeginstrengtheningwith
resistedexerciseusingelasticbandsand/orhandweights.
Resistedexercisesshouldbedone3daysperweek.Each
exerciseshouldbeperformedas1015repetitionsfollowedby
2minutesofrest,andrepeated34times.
ROTATORCUFFSTRENGTHENING
Withthearmtuckedclosetothebody,userubbertubingtoprovide
resistancetointernalrotationofthearm.Turnaroundtousethetubingto
provideresistancetoexternalrotationofthearm.Alternatively,youmay
lieonyoursideandusesmallhandweightsto
provideexternalrotation
resistance.Do1015repetitions,for34sets,for3days/week.
DELTOIDSTRENGTHENING
Withthearmtuckedclosetothebody,userubber
tubingtoprovideresistancetoforwardpunches.
Turnaroundtousethetubingtoprovideresistance
topullingthearm.Do1015repetitions,for34
sets,for3days/week.
DONOTDOFULL
CANOREMPTY
CANEXERCISES!
Theseplacetoo
muchstressonthe
rotatorcu.
Phase3:IsometricExercise
(1418WeeksafterSurgery)
Phase3:IsometricExercises1418Weeks
Beginning14weeksaftersurgerythepatientcanbegin
isometricexercises.Usingapilloworfoldedtowelthepatient
appliespressuretothewallwithoutmovingtheshoulder.
ISOMETRICPUSHANDPULL
Withapillowagainstthewall,andthearmtuckedclosetothebody,create
pressurewiththestforforwardpush,andwiththeelbowtopush
backward.Holdthepositionfor15secondsthenrestfor30seconds.Repeat
this1015times.This
canbedonedaily.
ISOMETRICEXTERNALANDINTERNALROTATION
Withapillowagainstawall,andthearmtuckedclosetothebody,create
pressurewiththebackofthehandforexternalrotation,andwiththepalm
ofthehandforinternalrotation.Holdthepositionfor15secondsthenrest
for30seconds.
Repeatthis1015times.Thiscanbedonedaily.
InstructionsfortheTherapist
EXERCISEPROGRAM:Therapybegins6weeksafter
surgery.Exercisesshouldbeperformeddailysupervisedby
atherapist13x/week,andathomeontheotherdays.
Phase1:PassiveRangeofMotion610Weeks
Passiverangeofmotionbegins6 weeksaftersurgery.
Passiverangeofmotionrequiresthetherapistoran
assistantathometoputthearmthroughacomfortable
rangeofmotionwhilethepatientissupine.Motionsinclude
forwardelevation,externalrotation,andabduction–allwith
inacomfortablerange.Pendulumexercisesarebegundur
ingthistime.Scapulaexercisesbeginat6weeks.Scapula
exercisesshouldincludeshrugs,depression,retractionand
protraction.Hand,wrist,andelbowmotionshouldbedone
adlib.
Phase2:ActiveAssistedRangeofMotion1018Weeks
Thisphaseintroducesactiveassistedrangeofmotion.The
patientliessupineandusestheirotherarm(orcaneorstick)
tomovetheaectedarmintoforwardelevation,external
rotation,andabduction.Thepatientdoesthissupineat
week10,45degreesuprightforweek11,andcompletely
uprightatweek12.Afterweek12,thepatientcanuse
pulleysforforwardelevation.
InstructionsfortheTherapist
Phase3:ActiveRangeofMotion1418Weeks
Whilecontinuingtoworkonactiveassistedmotion,thepatient
nowbeginsactiverangeofmotioninforwardelevation,external
rotation,andabduction.Inaddition,isometricstrengthening
exercisesbeginatthistime.
Phase4:ResistedExercise1822Weeks
After18weeksthepatientcanbeginstrengtheningwith
resistedexerciseusinganelasticbandorhandweights.Scapula
musclestrengtheningexercisesareintroduced.FullandEmpty
Canexercisesarenotallowed!
Phase3:ActiveMotion
(1418WeeksafterSurgery)
Phase3:ActiveRangeofMotion1418Weeks
Whilecontinuingtoworkonactiveassistedrangeofmotion,
thepatientnowbeginsactiverangeofmotioninforward
elevation,externalrotationandabduction.Inaddition,
isometricstrengtheningexercisesbeginatthistime.These
exercisescanbedonedaily.
ACTIVERANGEOFMOTION
Whileupright,thepatientmovesthearminfrontofthebody(forward
elevation)andtothesideofthebody(abduction).
ACTIVERANGEOFMOTION
Itisimportanttoavoid“hiking”theshoulder.Placetheuninvolvedhandon
theaectedshoulder,ordotheseexercisesinfrontofamirrortoavoid
this.
Phase2:ActiveAssistedMotion
(1114WeeksafterSurgery)
Phase2:ActiveAssistedRangeofMotion1114Weeks
Elevenweeksaftersurgerythepatient’sbackisproppedup
approximately45degreesandusestheunaectedarmto
movethepostoperativearm(oracaneorstick)intoforward
elevation,externalrotation,andabduction.Aftertwelve
weeks,thepatientcandotheseexerciseswhileupright.These
exercisescanbedonedaily.
45DEGREEACTIVEASSISTEDRANGEOFMOTION
Whileproppedonapillowat45degreesandusingastickorcane,the
normalarmwillmovetheaectedarmoverthehead.Thearmismovedin
forwardelevation,abduction,andexternalrotation.Thisbegins11weeks
aftersurgeryand
isdonedaily.
UPRIGHTACTIVEASSISTEDRANGEOFMOTION
Twelveweeksaftersurgeryusingastickorcane,thenormalarmwillmove
theaectedarminexternalrotation,abductionandforwardelevation
whileupright.Sittinginachairwhileusingpulleysisallowedatthistimeas
well.Theseexercisesshouldbe
donedaily.
Phase1:PassiveMotion
(610WeeksafterSurgery)
Phase1:PassiveRangeofMotion610Weeks
Passiverangeofmotionistobegin6weeksaftersurgery.
Passiverangeofmotionrequiresthetherapistoranassistant
athometoputthearmthroughacomfortablerangeof
motionwhilethepatientissupine.Motionsincludeforward
elevation,externalrotation,andabductionallwithina
comfortablerange.Theseexercisesaredonewitheach
therapyvisit,threetimeseachweek.
Inaddition,pendulumexercisescanbeinitiatedduringthis
time.Thesecanbedoneathome,twiceeachday.
PASSIVERANGEOFMOTION
Thepatientliessupineandrelaxes.The
therapistwillmovethearm.The
patientshouldrelaxandshouldnot
contractanymuscleswhilethether
apistmovesthearm.Thisshouldbe
doneateachtherapyvisit,threetimes
eachweek.
PENDULUMEXERCISES
Usetorsotomovearmby
rockingbodyweight.Go
inclockwisedirectionthen
counterclockwise.
Pendulumexercisescan
bedonetwiceeachday.
Phase1:ScapulaExercises
(618WeeksafterSurgery)
Phase1:ScapulaStabilizerExercises
Scapulaexercisesbeginafter6weeks.Scapulaexercises
shouldincludeelevationwithshrugs,depression,retraction
andprotraction.Thesearedoneoutoftheslinguntilstrength
eningexercisesbegin,18weeksaftersurgery.Theseexercises
canbedonedaily.
SCAPULAEXERCISES
Thesecanbedonedaily.
Phase2:ActiveAssistedMotion
(10WeeksafterSurgery)
Phase2:ActiveAssistedRangeofMotion10Weeks
Thissecondphaseoftherapybeginswithactiveassistedrange
ofmotion,andstarts10weeksaftersurgery.Thepatientlies
supineandusestheunaectedarm(orastickorcane)to
movethepostoperativearmintoforwardelevation,external
rotation,andabduction.Thesecanbedonedaily.
SUPINEACTIVEASSISTED
FORWARDELEVATION
Usingastickorcane,the
normalarmwillmovethe
aectedarmoverthehead.
SUPINEACTIVEASSISTEDEXTERNAL
ROTATION
Keeptheaectedarmtuckedcloseto
thebody.Bendtheelbowto90degrees
sothehandispointedtotheceiling.
Usingacane,thehealthyarmmovesthe
aectedarminexternalrotation.
SUPINEACTIVEASSISTEDABDUCTION
Whilekeepingtheelbowoftheaectedarmstraight,theunaectedarm
willmovetheaectedarmouttothesideofthebodyashighasis
comfortable.
Phase1:ScapulaExercises
(618WeeksafterSurgery)
Phase1:ScapulaStabilizerExercises
Scapulaexercisesbeginafter6weeks.Scapulaexercises
shouldincludeelevationwithshrugs,depression,retraction
andprotraction.Thesearedoneoutoftheslinguntilstrength
eningexercisesbegin,18weeksaftersurgery.Theseexercises
canbedonedaily.
SCAPULAEXERCISES
Thesecanbedonedaily.
Phase2:ActiveAssistedMotion
(10WeeksafterSurgery)
Phase2:ActiveAssistedRangeofMotion10Weeks
Thissecondphaseoftherapybeginswithactiveassistedrange
ofmotion,andstarts10weeksaftersurgery.Thepatientlies
supineandusestheunaectedarm(orastickorcane)to
movethepostoperativearmintoforwardelevation,external
rotation,andabduction.Thesecanbedonedaily.
SUPINEACTIVEASSISTED
FORWARDELEVATION
Usingastickorcane,the
normalarmwillmovethe
aectedarmoverthehead.
SUPINEACTIVEASSISTEDEXTERNAL
ROTATION
Keeptheaectedarmtuckedcloseto
thebody.Bendtheelbowto90degrees
sothehandispointedtotheceiling.
Usingacane,thehealthyarmmovesthe
aectedarminexternalrotation.
SUPINEACTIVEASSISTEDABDUCTION
Whilekeepingtheelbowoftheaectedarmstraight,theunaectedarm
willmovetheaectedarmouttothesideofthebodyashighasis
comfortable.
Phase2:ActiveAssistedMotion
(1114WeeksafterSurgery)
Phase2:ActiveAssistedRangeofMotion1114Weeks
Elevenweeksaftersurgerythepatient’sbackisproppedup
approximately45degreesandusestheunaectedarmto
movethepostoperativearm(oracaneorstick)intoforward
elevation,externalrotation,andabduction.Aftertwelve
weeks,thepatientcandotheseexerciseswhileupright.These
exercisescanbedonedaily.
45DEGREEACTIVEASSISTEDRANGEOFMOTION
Whileproppedonapillowat45degreesandusingastickorcane,the
normalarmwillmovetheaectedarmoverthehead.Thearmismovedin
forwardelevation,abduction,andexternalrotation.Thisbegins11weeks
aftersurgeryand
isdonedaily.
UPRIGHTACTIVEASSISTEDRANGEOFMOTION
Twelveweeksaftersurgeryusingastickorcane,thenormalarmwillmove
theaectedarminexternalrotation,abductionandforwardelevation
whileupright.Sittinginachairwhileusingpulleysisallowedatthistimeas
well.Theseexercisesshouldbe
donedaily.
Phase1:PassiveMotion
(610WeeksafterSurgery)
Phase1:PassiveRangeofMotion610Weeks
Passiverangeofmotionistobegin6weeksaftersurgery.
Passiverangeofmotionrequiresthetherapistoranassistant
athometoputthearmthroughacomfortablerangeof
motionwhilethepatientissupine.Motionsincludeforward
elevation,externalrotation,andabductionallwithina
comfortablerange.Theseexercisesaredonewitheach
therapyvisit,threetimeseachweek.
Inaddition,pendulumexercisescanbeinitiatedduringthis
time.Thesecanbedoneathome,twiceeachday.
PASSIVERANGEOFMOTION
Thepatientliessupineandrelaxes.The
therapistwillmovethearm.The
patientshouldrelaxandshouldnot
contractanymuscleswhilethether
apistmovesthearm.Thisshouldbe
doneateachtherapyvisit,threetimes
eachweek.
PENDULUMEXERCISES
Usetorsotomovearmby
rockingbodyweight.Go
inclockwisedirectionthen
counterclockwise.
Pendulumexercisescan
bedonetwiceeachday.
InstructionsfortheTherapist
Phase3:ActiveRangeofMotion1418Weeks
Whilecontinuingtoworkonactiveassistedmotion,thepatient
nowbeginsactiverangeofmotioninforwardelevation,external
rotation,andabduction.Inaddition,isometricstrengthening
exercisesbeginatthistime.
Phase4:ResistedExercise1822Weeks
After18weeksthepatientcanbeginstrengtheningwith
resistedexerciseusinganelasticbandorhandweights.Scapula
musclestrengtheningexercisesareintroduced.FullandEmpty
Canexercisesarenotallowed!
Phase3:ActiveMotion
(1418WeeksafterSurgery)
Phase3:ActiveRangeofMotion1418Weeks
Whilecontinuingtoworkonactiveassistedrangeofmotion,
thepatientnowbeginsactiverangeofmotioninforward
elevation,externalrotationandabduction.Inaddition,
isometricstrengtheningexercisesbeginatthistime.These
exercisescanbedonedaily.
ACTIVERANGEOFMOTION
Whileupright,thepatientmovesthearminfrontofthebody(forward
elevation)andtothesideofthebody(abduction).
ACTIVERANGEOFMOTION
Itisimportanttoavoid“hiking”theshoulder.Placetheuninvolvedhandon
theaectedshoulder,ordotheseexercisesinfrontofamirrortoavoid
this.
Phase3:IsometricExercise
(1418WeeksafterSurgery)
Phase3:IsometricExercises1418Weeks
Beginning14weeksaftersurgerythepatientcanbegin
isometricexercises.Usingapilloworfoldedtowelthepatient
appliespressuretothewallwithoutmovingtheshoulder.
ISOMETRICPUSHANDPULL
Withapillowagainstthewall,andthearmtuckedclosetothebody,create
pressurewiththestforforwardpush,andwiththeelbowtopush
backward.Holdthepositionfor15secondsthenrestfor30seconds.Repeat
this1015times.This
canbedonedaily.
ISOMETRICEXTERNALANDINTERNALROTATION
Withapillowagainstawall,andthearmtuckedclosetothebody,create
pressurewiththebackofthehandforexternalrotation,andwiththepalm
ofthehandforinternalrotation.Holdthepositionfor15secondsthenrest
for30seconds.
Repeatthis1015times.Thiscanbedonedaily.
InstructionsfortheTherapist
EXERCISEPROGRAM:Therapybegins6weeksafter
surgery.Exercisesshouldbeperformeddailysupervisedby
atherapist13x/week,andathomeontheotherdays.
Phase1:PassiveRangeofMotion610Weeks
Passiverangeofmotionbegins6 weeksaftersurgery.
Passiverangeofmotionrequiresthetherapistoran
assistantathometoputthearmthroughacomfortable
rangeofmotionwhilethepatientissupine.Motionsinclude
forwardelevation,externalrotation,andabduction–allwith
inacomfortablerange.Pendulumexercisesarebegundur
ingthistime.Scapulaexercisesbeginat6weeks.Scapula
exercisesshouldincludeshrugs,depression,retractionand
protraction.Hand,wrist,andelbowmotionshouldbedone
adlib.
Phase2:ActiveAssistedRangeofMotion1018Weeks
Thisphaseintroducesactiveassistedrangeofmotion.The
patientliessupineandusestheirotherarm(orcaneorstick)
tomovetheaectedarmintoforwardelevation,external
rotation,andabduction.Thepatientdoesthissupineat
week10,45degreesuprightforweek11,andcompletely
uprightatweek12.Afterweek12,thepatientcanuse
pulleysforforwardelevation.
InstructionsfortheTherapist
ActivityRestrictions
Showering:48Hours
Deskwork:Whencomfortablewithsling
Driving:Notuntilslingisoffat6weeks
UsingarmforActivitiesofDailyLiving:6weeks
Usingarmtoreachoverhead:12weeks
Usingarmtoreachbehindback:6weeks
Usingarmtocarryobjects:6weeks
Pushing/Pulling:6weeks
Sport/HeavyActivity:Whennishedwiththerapyprogram
ExerciseProgram
Therapyistobegin6weeksaftersurgery.
Exercisesshouldbeperformedonceperdayathomeorwitha
therapist.Theexerciseprogramisdividedintofour
timedependentphases.Donotadvanceintothenextphase
untiltheappropriatetimeaftersurgery.
Questions/Concerns
Ifyouhavequestionsorconcerns,pleasecontactthepatient’s
physician.Questionsorconcernsregardingtherehabilitation
protocolmaybesenttotheMOONShoulderGroupresearch
hub,listedonthebackofthisbook.
Phase4:ResistedExercises
(1822WeeksafterSurgery)
Phase4:ResistedExercises1822Weeks.
After18weeks,thepatientcanbeginstrengtheningwith
resistedexerciseusingelasticbandsand/orhandweights.
Resistedexercisesshouldbedone3daysperweek.Each
exerciseshouldbeperformedas1015repetitionsfollowedby
2minutesofrest,andrepeated34times.
ROTATORCUFFSTRENGTHENING
Withthearmtuckedclosetothebody,userubbertubingtoprovide
resistancetointernalrotationofthearm.Turnaroundtousethetubingto
provideresistancetoexternalrotationofthearm.Alternatively,youmay
lieonyoursideandusesmallhandweightsto
provideexternalrotation
resistance.Do1015repetitions,for34sets,for3days/week.
DELTOIDSTRENGTHENING
Withthearmtuckedclosetothebody,userubber
tubingtoprovideresistancetoforwardpunches.
Turnaroundtousethetubingtoprovideresistance
topullingthearm.Do1015repetitions,for34
sets,for3days/week.
DONOTDOFULL
CANOREMPTY
CANEXERCISES!
Theseplacetoo
muchstressonthe
rotatorcu.
Phase4:ResistedExercises
(1822)WeeksafterSurgery)
Phase4:ResistedExercises1822Weeks.
Theseexercisesincludescapulastrengtheningandlight
stretching.
RESISTEDSCAPULASTRENGTHENING
Scapulastrengtheningexercisesincludelockedelbowextensiontowork
thetrapezius,pressupplusreachingtowardtheceilingtoworkthe
serratus.Rowsmaybedonekneelingwithelasticbands ,anduprightwitha
handweight.Likeotherstrengtheningexercises,eachexerciseshouldbe
performedas1015
repetitions,followedby2minutesofrest,andrepeated
as34sets.Strengtheningexercisesshouldbedone3days eachweek.
SHOULDERSTRETCHING
Stretchingshouldbedonedaily.Holdeachstretchfor15seconds,restfor
15seconds,andrepeat5times.Thecornerstretchwillstretchtheanterior
shoulder.Thetowelstretch,cross bodystretch,andthesleeperstretchwill
stretchtheposteriorshoulder.Beginwithgentlestretching.After22
weeks,
aggressivestretchingmaybeusedifneeded.
IntroductionsfortheTherapist
TheMOONShoulderGroupisacollectionofshoulder
expertswhostudythebestmethodstotreatpatientswith
rotatorcufftears.YourPatientispartofastudyevaluating
theeectoftimingofpostoperativetherapyafterrotator
cuffrepair.
Thispatientistobegintherapy6weeksaftersurgery.
Thepatientshouldworkwiththetherapist13x/week
untilreleasedbythesurgeon.
Yourpatienthasreceivedahometherapyexercise
guide.THESEBEGINSIXWEEKSAFTERSURGERY.You
shouldreviewthishomeexerciseprogramwiththe
patient.
Donotaddorskipanypartofthisprogram.Ifyouhave
concerns,pleasecontactyoursurgeon.
GENERALINSTRUCTIONS:
Modalities
Level1evidencesupportstheuseofcryotherapy.Patients
areencouragedtousecryotherapyaftersurgery.
SlingUse
Aslingwithasmallpillowistobewornforsixweeksafter
surgery.Thesling
mayberemovedforshoweringand
activitiesasdirected.Theslingshouldbewornwhenthe
patientisinanuncontrolledenvironment:sleeping,around
children,pets,andcrowdsduringthesesixweeks.
MOONSHOULDERGROUP
ForinformationregardingtheMOONShoulderGroup,
speaktosurgeonorcontact:
RosemarySanders
4200MedicalCenterEast
121521stAvenueSouth
VanderbiltUniversityMedicalCenter
NashvilleTN372328300
www.MOONShoulder.com
Version1.0AllIllustrationsbyJasperRichardson.
POSTOPERATIVE
ROTATORCUFFREPAIR
PROTOCOL
TherapistInstructions