| Study/Author |
Number of patients |
Regimens/method |
Outcomes |
Complications |
[44]
PRCT: Early vs delayed rehab |
68 |
All Full thickness RC repair
Early group had passive elevation and rotation day 2
Delayed group same protocol at 6 weeks |
Both groups similar functional outcomes at 1 year |
Slightly higher healing rate in delayed group (91vs85%) |
[43]
RCT: Early passive ROM |
105 |
Small to Medium tears
Early passive ROM in 1st 4-5 weeks vs No passive |
No difference at 12 months for ROM, functional score and VAS |
Re-tear 12% of
Early passive and 18% of no passive |
Raab et al. [15]
RCT: Aggressive vs early limited ROM |
64 |
Medium to Large tears
Aggressive group had twice daily manual therapy in 1st 6weeks with unlimited stretching
Limited group had limited CPM |
Aggressive group had better ROM at 3 months but no difference at 1 year except IR |
23.3% retear in aggressive group compared to 8.8% in early limited group |
Garofalo et al. [9]
PRCT: Immediate passive motion vs. immobilization |
100 |
Immediate passive motion or strict immobilization for 6 weeks |
Immediate passive motion had better functional scores, less CRPS and less adhesive capsulitis |
No difference in healing |
Chahal et al. [31]
Systematic Review: Effectiveness of CPM on rotator cuff repair |
4 RCT found comparing CPM with standard physio |
N/A |
CPM improved ROM in two studies. One study found a decrease in pain and one study found improvement in muscle strength. |
N/A |
Lastayo et al. [12]
PRCT: CPM after Rotator Cuff Repair |
31 |
4 week CPM regimen vs manual passive ROM |
No difference in functional scores, pain, ROM or isometric strength |
N/A |
Speer et al. [13]
RCT: The efficacy of cryotherapy in the postoperative shoulder |
50 |
Included all shoulder postop patients including stabilization, arthroplasty and cuff repair |
Cryotherapy group had less pain and slept better on the night of surgery. At day 10, less pain and swelling, easier rehab |
N/A |
Brady et al. [50]
The addition of aquatic therapy to
rehabilitation following surgical rotator
cuff repair |
18 |
Combined aquatic and land-based program vs. land based only |
Both improved ROM and functional score. Aquatic program had early better flexion but no difference at 12 weeks |
N/A |
