Rehabilitation following rotator cuff repair: a systematic review (free access for members!)

A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes following surgical repair of the rotator cuff with emphasis upon length of immobilisation and timing of introduction of load.

Strong evidence has been found that initiation of functional loading early in the rehabilitation programme does not adversely affect clinical outcome.

Concern about early initiation of rehabilitation and introduction of gradual functional load does not appear warranted but results should be interpreted with caution. There is further need to evaluate approaches that foster early initiation of rehabilitation and gradual introduction of functional load as well as considering key outcome measures.

Full members can access the full text version of the article published in the Shoulder & Elbow Journal via the members area on our website: http://www.eusser.org/members-area