Early on, a rotator cuff repair cannot withstand substantial strength work, or active movement. Talk to your doctor or physical therapist about which exercises will best help you meet your rehabilitation goals. Conservative rotator cuff tear protocol sports and orthopedic. Copy and paste this html code into your webpage to embed. Begin by tying a piece of elastic exercise material, such as surgical tubing or theraband, to a doorknob. An injured rotator cuff is painful, frustrating, and, unfortunately, very common. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons, which hold the glenohumeral joint together and help lift the arm overhead, such as throwing a ball or swimming. Start against gravity and gradually progress with weights. Begin in a standing upright position with your elbow bent at 90 degrees and a towel. Shoulder rotator cuff home exercises uk healthcare. He recommends delaying strengthening until 3 to 4 months postoperatively. Rotator cuff sprain and strains university of california. It is no means intended to be a substitute for ones. Stand or sit with your shoulder relaxed and your elbow bent 90 degrees.
You may also hold one end of the band in each hand. Famous physical therapists bob schrupp and brad heineck demonstrate the 10 best rotator cuff exercises for strengthening your shoulder from beginner to advanced. Following a wellstructured conditioning program will also help you return to sports and other. Strengthening exercises usually begin with isometric or static exercises. While these exercises build strength, make sure to consult your doctor if. Avoid shoulder injury by strengthening the rotator cuff. This is a home program designed to strengthen the muscles of the rotator cuff and scapula.
Rotator cuff and shoulder rehabilitation exercises to ensure that this program is safe and effective for you, it should be performed under your doctors supervision. When people do include the rotator cuff in their training program, they tend to focus solely on the strength of the rotator cuff. Begin the second phase of rehabilitation with these strengthening exercises once you have. Shoulder rotator cuff and scapular strengthening program external rotation attach the theraband at waist level to a doorknob or post. Jul 15, 2019 strengthening exercises usually begin with isometric or static exercises. Rotator cuff workout rotator cuff exercises for injury. We prospectively assessed 17 patients with radiologically con. Using a door jamb, tree, or corner of a wall, extend your arm out from the torso at a right angle, and bend your elbow 90 degrees. Feet are shoulder width apart and the knees are slightly flexed. A randomized controlled trial article pdf available in journal of hand therapy 303.
Ideally they should not be performed on consecutive days, to allow muscle recovery. Exercises you can do at home exercises are a very important part of treatment for a rotator cuff disorder. There is a lot going on in this exercise beyond just the rotator cuff muscles, including the legs, and the core, and the allimportant rhomboids that play. As an orthopedic surgeon, i am excited to share with you some important basic exercises that can help prevent shoulder injury. Find out how physical therapy exercises and other treatment can help you feel better. Rom 1 codmanspendulum bend over chairtable, hang affected arm straight.
Symptoms such as pain, swelling, or instability should be closely monitored by the patient. These are called isometric holds, which are the most basic of our shoulder exercises. Rotator cuff repair protocol boston shoulder institute. Your doctor or physical therapist will tell you when you can start these exercises and which ones will work best for you. For specific advice regarding injuryappropriate rotator cuff strengthening, it is highly recommended that you consult the professional advice of. Strengthening all exercises painfree rom only 3xweek max. Isometric exercises are muscle tightening exercises performed with no joint movement. Shoulder external rotation with anchored resistance shoulder internal rotation with resistance. Rotator cuff and shoulder rehabilitation exercises. Strengthening the rotator cuff is imperative for any athlete in any sport. Rating is available when the video has been rented. Specific interventions should be based on the needs of the individual and should consider exam findings and clinical decision making. Single arm shoulder extension with anchored resistance.
If pain, weakness, and stiffness in your shoulder see figure in appendix are related to problems with your rotator cuff, a doctor will usually first recommend nonsurgical treatment. The four shoulder muscles that make up the rotator cuff can get worn or tear. Stretching and strengthening the muscles of the shoulder and scapula. Shoulder strengthening exercises for rotator cuff phase ii shoulder strengthening exercises for rotator cuff phase ii the following is your personalized exercise program prescribed by your physical therapist. Perform stretching exercises to restore flexibility figure 6. You should discuss the suitability of these exercises with your physiotherapist prior to beginning them. While standing sideways to the door and facing straight ahead, grasp one end of the band and pull the band all the way through until it is taut. That way you can strengthen the muscles without overstressing them. These muscles around the shoulder are extremely important for stabilizing the shoulder joint, which can ultimately assist in preventing shoulder. Famous physical therapists bob schrupp and brad heineck demonstrate the 10 best rotator cuff exercises for strengthening your shoulder. Rotator cuff strengthening exercises physioadvisor.
The intent of this protocol is to provide the clinician with a guideline of the postoperative rehabilitation course of a patient that has undergone an arthroscopic assistedminiopen rotator cuff repair. Proudly serving patients in the greater minneapolis, mn area. These pictures above provide the foundation of treatment for a rotator cuff injury. Your doctor, athletic trainer, or physical therapist can help guide you through this program, which is broken up into 3 parts.
Exercises your kaiser permanente care instructions here are some examples of typical rehabilitation exercises for your condition. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that stabilize the shoulder. The conservative rehabilitation protocol allows sharpey fibers to form before stressing the repair with resistive exercises. Strengthening all the muscles of the rotator cuff is important but premature strengthening can delay healing and cause more pain. Rotator cuff strengthening intermediate rotator cuff exercises. Pdf effect of rotator cuff strengthening as an adjunct. These exercises are intended for the initial strengthening of acute shoulder problems, andor longterm rehabilitation for massive rotator cuff tears and other conditions resulting in longterm severe weakness. Reason being, the rotator cuff muscles can easily be isolated with specific movements and these strength exercises are the most commonly prescribed rotator cuff exercises by trainers, physical therapists, and mds. Rotator cuff and shoulder rehabilitation exercises orthoinfo aaos.
Rotator cuff and shoulder conditioning program strengthening exercises orthoinfo your orthopaedic connection to expert information about bones, joints, and muscles. This program involves strengthening two sidelying internal. You may use an elastic band or light weights to provide resistance as you gain strength. Rotator cuff home exercise program this is a general conditioning program that provides a wide range of exercises. The rotator cuff is made up of four muscles supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis. The role of anterior deltoid reeducation in patients with. If you have moderate or severe discomfort reduce the level of resistance or decrease the range of the exercise until it is comfortable. It provides stability and strength for the shoulder joint, anchoring the humerus. They form the basis of the rotator cuff rehabilitation program. It is prone to injury, but doing specific exercises can help prevent this.
Shoulder isometric strengthening program orthoindy. Make sure to keep your back straight during the exercise. The rotator cuff is an integral part of the anatomy of the shoulder. Rotator cuff tears may be very painful, but most of the time, they will heal with rest and strengthening exercises. When your symptoms are less acute you can begin strengthening the rotator cuff and the muscles that provide stability for the scapula figures 35. Jun 12, 2017 these pictures above provide the foundation of treatment for a rotator cuff injury. Return to intense activities following a rotator cuff repair require both a strenuous strengthening and range of motion program along with a period of time to allow for tissue healing. Arthroscopic rotator cuff arc clinical trial rotator cuff home exercise program table of contents general instructions 1 passive motion exercises 2 active assisted range of motion exercises 3 active range of motion exercises 6 isometric exercises 8 resisted exercises 9 rotator cuff strengthening exercises 11 shoulder stretches. Shoulder strengthening activities active resistive. Start with holding these contractions within a pain free range. Rotator cuff and shoulder conditioning program orthoinfo aaos. Range of motion you should do this every day to help get your motion back. The following intermediate rotator cuff strengthening exercises should generally be performed 1 3 times per week provided they do not cause or increase pain.
Strengthening exercises mammoth orthopedic institute. Bedi et al2 reported a recurrence rate of up to 94%. The best rotator cuff exercises and stretches medical news today. Mar 16, 2020 when people do include the rotator cuff in their training program, they tend to focus solely on the strength of the rotator cuff. Then progress onto dynamic exercises with resistance bands or dumbbells, then finally sports specific or functional exercises.
Shoulder strengthening exercises 2010 5 subscapularis strengthening anterior rotator cuff three exercises are shown. Generally, they should only be performed provided they do. Rehabilitation protocol for rotator cuff repair this protocol is intended to guide clinicians and patients through the postoperative course of a rotator cuff repair. The following rotator cuff strengthening exercises are designed to improve the strength of the rotator cuff muscles figure 1. Emphasize improved strength via neural recruitment, tissue remodeling, and correct scapular positioning. Place your arm against the wall, around the corner. In working with your physical therapist, you will become familiar with these two important terms passive and active movement. Push your arm into the wall and hold for 5 seconds, then relax. This protocol provides you with general guidelines for the conservative rehabilitation of the patient with a rotator cuff tear rct. The physician will make specific changes to the program as appropriate for an individual patient. Therabands are rubber bands that may be obtained from your physical therapist or purchased at a sporting goods store e.
Strengthening do these 3 to 4 times per week repetitions andor resistance can be increased as tolerated. These rotator cuff strengthening exercises will build strong, stable and mobile shoulders helping you stay active and painfree. Rotator cuff exercises mobility, stretching, strengthening. Exercises and physical therapy for rotator cuff tear. Their action is to increase circulation for healing and strengthening muscles with minimal joint irritation. Effect of rotator cuff strengthening as an adjunct to standard care in subjects with adhesive capsulitis. Rotator cuff strengthening program raise the arm up in the plane of the shoulder blades not directly out to the side with the thumb pointing up. Biceps you should feel this exercise at the front of your upper arm. These are exercises where the muscle contracts or works but without moving the arm. With this, we can apply a progressive strengthening principle that can be used to strengthen the rotator cuff. So common that rotator cuff issues sent 2 million people in the us to see a doctor in 20.
The video thanks to my costars princess and superkitty at the top of this post is the best exercise i know for strengthening the rotator cuff and bringing stability to the shoulder joint. Home exercise program for periscapular and rotator cuff. This shoulder rehabilitation program focuses on strengthening the muscles that support your shoulder to help keep your shoulder joint stable, relieve pain and. Rotator cuff home exercise program table of contents general instructions 1 passive motion exercises 2 active assisted range of motion exercises 3 active range of motion exercises 6 isometric exercises 8 resisted exercises 9 rotator cuff strengthening exercises 11 shoulder stretches shoulder stabilization exercises 14 acknowledgements 16. Exercises your kaiser permanente care instructions. This program involves strengthening two basic muscle groups. When trying to increase muscle strength after an injury, the best place to start is with static rotator cuff injury exercises. For all exercises, stand with good posture by pulling your shoulder blades slightly down and. All of the exercises should be performed with slow and controlled motion.