Open, Mini-open, and All-Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery: Indications and Implications for Rehabilitation

Assessment of functional outcome of mini-open rotator cuff repair: a hospital based prospective study

“…All the patients (100%) had poor constant score (>30) and fair/poor ULCA score (<27 Optimal repair of the rotator cuff includes achievement of high fixation strength, minimal gap formation and maintenance of mechanical stability under cyclic loading, and proper healing of tendon to bone. 7 In the present study constant score revealed poor outcome among all the patients (100%) during three weeks follow up while at six weeks follow up all the patients (100%) had fair function suggesting marginal improvement in function. At three months follow up all the patients (100%) had good outcome and at last follow up that is, six months all the patients (100%) had constant score of <11 suggestive of excellent functional outcome.…”

Efficacy of informed versus uninformed physiotherapy on postoperative retear rates of medium-sized and large rotator cuff tears

“…Historically, surgeons have recommended early passive range of motion as well as gentle circle pendulum exercise after rotator cuff repair in an effort to decrease the chances that adhesions will develop and ultimately lead to stiffness in the repaired shoulder. 10 Based on our study, it appears that a period of passive movement, followed by active movement without resistance, 21,24 allows the optimal restoration of the tendon insertion, minimizing retear rate of the rotator cuff. After that, to strengthen the tendon and muscle of the rotator cuff, active resistive exercises are required.…”

“…Therapists tried to instruct patients to passively perform gentle, small, circle pendulum exercises to minimize the activation of postoperative muscles. 10 However, most patients lacked the ability to perform the pendulum exercises as prescribed. Some studies have demonstrated that the early standardized physiotherapeutic protocol is patient oriented and therefore limited in quality outcome, 6 including pendulum exercises.…”

Functional evaluation of patient after arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tear

“…6 Moreover, deltoid takedown and repair required a postoperative period of protection of at least 4 weeks, which precluded accelerated postoperative rehabilitation (no active motions). 7 With the mini open approach, rotator cuff preparations, including debridement of tendon edges, releases, mobilization and in some cases, single row anchor placement were all performed arthroscopically. As most of the procedure was done arthroscopically, both the time requirement and exposure for the deltoid splitting approach was limited, potentially minimizing deltoid injury.…”

“…As most of the procedure was done arthroscopically, both the time requirement and exposure for the deltoid splitting approach was limited, potentially minimizing deltoid injury. 7 In a study of 29 patients who were treated with mini-open cuff repair, Severud et al 8 noted that patients had good to excellent results at 44-month follow up.…”