Abstract
Objective: We investigated the relationship between external rotation range of motion (ROM) 5 weeks after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) and complication of subscapularis (SSC) tears following 12 months of treatment.
Method: Ninety-five shoulders in 92 patients who underwent ARCR were included. Passive ROM was examined preoperatively, 5 weeks, and 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The presence or absence of re-tear was examined for external rotation of 25° or more (H group) and 20° or less (L group) 5 weeks after surgery, with (+group) or without (−group) SSC tear. Shoulder internal rotation of hand-behind-back movement above or below the first lumbar vertebra was selected as the preoperative factors, and evaluated for groups H and L 5 weeks after surgery.
Results: ROM was greater in the H group up to 12 months after surgery (p<0.05). Regardless of SSC tear, re-tear was more common in the H group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Regardless of SSC tear, limiting external rotation ROM to 20° 5 weeks after surgery may be useful in preventing re-tear. When preoperative internal rotation was performed at or above the first lumbar vertebra, there was a high probability that external rotation ROM would be 25°or more 5 weeks after surgery, suggesting the need to carefully proceed with external rotation ROM training in the early postoperative period.
