Rehabilitation Management of Rotator Cuff Injuries in the Master Athlete

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Orthopedics
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Rotator cuff (RTC) injuries are prevalent in master athletes, especially overhead athletes.
• Risk factors include aging, degeneration, high activity volume, muscle weakness, and reduced motion.
• Clinical signs include limited range of motion (ROM) and pain at rest or during the night.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the classification, presentation, and management of rotator cuff injuries in master athletes.
• To describe the phased rehabilitation protocols for RTC injuries.
• To provide guidance on return-to-sport criteria.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical presentation and injury classification (traumatic vs. nontraumatic, tendinopathy, partial/full-thickness tears).
• Description of a four-phase, criteria-based, multimodal rehabilitation protocol.
• Discussion of non-surgical and surgical management considerations.

Main Results:

• RTC injuries present with limited ROM and pain.
• Rehabilitation is structured into acute, recovery, and functional phases.
• Non-surgical management is the primary approach, with surgery reserved for progressive symptoms or full-thickness tears.

Conclusions:

• Effective management of RTC injuries in master athletes requires accurate classification and a phased rehabilitation approach.
• Return to sport is contingent on clinical recovery, kinetic chain function, and technique.
• Non-surgical interventions are generally recommended, with surgical options for specific indications.