Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 28, 2026
A Novel Arthroscopic Medial Knot-Tying Suture-Bridge Repair with Rip-Stop Technique for Rotator Cuff Tears
Published on: January 13, 2026
Early Active Motion Versus Sling Immobilization After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Randomized Controlled Trial
David M Sheps1, Anelise Silveira2, Lauren Beaupre3
1Glen Sather Sports Medicine Clinic, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Division of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Sturgeon Community Hospital, St. Albert, Alberta, Canada.
Purpose:
To compare the effect of early mobilization (EM) with standard rehabilitation (SR) over the initial 24 months following arthroscopic rotator cuff (RC) repair.
Methods:
A total of 206 patients with full-thickness RC tears undergoing arthroscopic repair were randomized following preoperative assessment of shoulder range of motion (ROM), pain, strength, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) to either EM (n = 103; self-weaned from sling and performed pain-free active ROM during the first 6 weeks) or SR (n = 103; wore a sling for 6 weeks with no active ROM). Shoulder ROM, pain, and HRQOL were reassessed at 6 weeks and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively by a blinded assessor. At 6, 12, and 24 months, strength was reassessed. At 12 months, ultrasound verified RC integrity. Independent t tests assessed 6-week group differences and 2-way repeated measures analysis of variance assessed changes over time between groups.
Results:
The groups were similar preoperatively (P > .12). The mean age of participants was 55.9 (minimum, 26; maximum, 79) years, and 131 (64%) were men. A total of 171 (83%) patients were followed to 24 months. At 6 weeks postoperatively, EM participants had significantly better forward flexion and abduction (P < .03) than the SR participants; no other group differences were noted. Over 24 months, there were no group differences in ROM after 6 weeks (P > .08), and pain (P > .06), strength (P = .35), or HRQOL (P > .20) at any time. Fifty-two (25%) subjects (30% EM; 33% SR) had a full-thickness tear present at 12-month postoperative ultrasound testing (P > .8).
Conclusions:
EM did not show significant clinical benefits, but there was no compromise of postoperative ROM, pain, strength, or HRQOL. Repair integrity was similar at 12 months postoperatively between groups. Consideration should be given to allow pain-free active ROM within the first 6 weeks following arthroscopic RC repair.
Level Of Evidence:
Level I, high-quality randomized controlled trial.
More Related Videos
07:22Arthroscopic Management of Massive Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears: Whole Rotator Cable Reconstruction Using Proximal Biceps Tendon Autograft
Published on: June 6, 2025
05:25Knotless Independent Double-Row Repair and Biceps Augmentation for Anterosuperior Rotator Cuff Tears
Published on: January 23, 2026
Related Concept Videos
01:26Rotational Motion about a Fixed Axis
01:27Work and Power for Rotational Motion
Similarly, the power delivered to a system that is rotating about a fixed axis...
01:11Work-Energy Theorem for Rotational Motion
01:22Relative Motion Analysis using Rotating Axes - Acceleration
Time differentiation is...
01:25Relative Motion Analysis using Rotating Axes
However, to express the relative position of point B relative to point A, an additional frame of reference, denoted as x'y', is necessary. This additional frame not only translates but also rotates relative to the fixed frame, making it...
01:18Equation of Motion: Rotation About a Fixed Axis
The tangential component is dependent on the direction of the angular acceleration of the flywheel. The tangential component of the acceleration propels the flywheel along its path. On the other hand,...