Rehabilitation after Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

Objective To explore the proper method of rehabilitation after operation of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.Methods A total of 86 cases treated by arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from March 2002 to December 2006 were included in our study and randomly divided into two groups which are normal group and intensive group.The two groups were treated with same rehabilitation protocol but had different frequency in hospital.American Shoulder Elbow Surgeons' Score(ASES score) and Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment(GEPI) were adopted before operation and one year follow-up.Results There were no significant difference between two groups in ASES and GEPI scores before the operation(P0.05).Comparing with preoperation,there were significant difference between the two groups in ASES and GEPI scores 1 year after operation(P0.05).Comparing with the normal group,the intensive group have higher ASES scores than that of normal group and lower GEPI scores than that of normal group 1 year after operation(P0.05).The range of motion of active forward flexion and external rotation were tested at the 7th week,12th week and 1 year after the operation,all the result of intensive group were better than that of normal group(P0.05).Conclusion Customized and systematic shoulder rehabilitation training therapy for the patients with rotator cuff repaired is an effective method to restore the function of shoulder joint.Intensive treatment has better result.