Shoulder APTA (2) Flashcards
What is a primary factor that determines rehabilitative course for RC tear?
- tear type; partial vs full, and size of tear
What defines a “full-thickness” RC tear?
- the tear comprises the entire thickness (from top to bottom) of the RC tendon/tendons.
Full thickness RC tears are often initiated with which RC muscle first?
- supraspinatus, then extending down to the infraspinatus, teres minor, and potentially subscap
What is often associated with a subscapularis tear?
- subluxation of the LH biceps from the intercondylar groove
- partial or complete tears of the biceps tendon
- i.e., biceps tendon involvement
What is a partial thickness RC tear?
- a tear that does not completely span the top/bottom of the tendon
What are the two types of partial thickness RC tears?
- superior surface involvement (bursal side)
- inferior surface involvement (articular side)
What is the difference in etiology between bursal vs articular side partial thickness tears?
- bursal/superior tears are thought most often to be the result of subacromial impingement; either primary or secondary compressive disease. Macrotrauma is also always an option.
- articular/inferior surface tears are thought to be the result of increased tensile loading, as associated with GH instability; labral/capsular insufficiency, etc
What are the different “sizes” of full thickness RC tears?
- small: <1 cm
- medium: 1-3 cm
- large: 3-5 cm
- massive: >5 cm
What type of suture placement is most secure:
- simple
- mattress
- combination (modified Mason-Allen)
- type probably doesn’t matter.
What two aspects of the suture for a RC repair are probably most important for integrity of the repair?
- how securely sutures are tied
- how much load is carried across each suture
What are the benefits of a double-row suture repair?
- not likely more secure
- however, in theory maximizes load per suture, and results in the closest approximation of RC geometry
- most repairs match the width, but not overall size of the original RC insertion
What are the implications of a single vs double-row suture repair for PT?
- while current evidence does not demonstrate a meaningful difference in outcomes, cadaveric studies show decreased gapping of the repair with a double row.
- improved repair integrity increases confidence for safety in the early stages of mobilization/rotational ROM to reduce stiffness
What is the general footprint of the supraspinatus tendon on the greater tuberosity (a/p and medial/lateral)?
- anterior/posterior: ~12 mm
- medial/lateral: ~24 mm
What technique may be even better than double-row suture repair?
- transosseous equivalent; aka suture bridge
- shown to be stronger than double-row in laboratory settings
In which direction (IR/ER) is there greater tension on the supraspinatus with passive ROM in ~30* elevation, and then 30-60* of rotation?
- IR showed greater tension than ER
- of interest as repairs often limit ER more than IR
A study looked at humeral rotation in the frontal, scapular, and sagittal planes for a relationship between those alignments and tensile loading. What was found?
- rotation with the humerus in the sagittal plane created the most tensile loading
What plane is likely best to conduct rotational PROM to minimize tensile loading on the repaired RC tendon?
- the scapular plane
What are some considerations for early PROM for the infraspinatus?
- IR ROM at shoulder elevation of 30-60* increases tension along the inferior most portion of the infraspinatus tendon
Is cross-arm adduction safe in the early stages of RC repair?
- probably. Doesn’t seem to increase supraspinatus or infraspinatus loading compared to neutral positions
Which produces more supraspinatus muscular activation: supine assisted ROM activities or pulley activities?
- pulleys….phooey
What is a concern for using a weight with Codman’s pendulums?
- increased anterior translation
- oddly, does not increase muscle activation over unweighted.
- Pendulums are not going to be completely passive exercises…there will be some muscle activation
What drives the progression of ROM and resistance training for RC rehab?
- pt tolerance
Typically how long is PROM done following RC repair?
- through the first 4-6 weeks
T or F;
Therapist assisted elevation and ER result in increased muscle activation in the RC musculature; probably note a good idea in early stages.
- F; they don’t. probably good to do to facilitate early joint motion
What is the “balance point” position? What can it be helpful for? When can it be used?
- 90* flx in supine
- small active motions from flx/ext to initiate recruitment
- in early rehab; probably in the 3-6 week timeframe
Is early PROM or immobilization better following RC repair?
- has been studied a lot, and is currently inconclusive
- some evidence for improved ROM at 3, 6, and 12 months, but it was primarily for flexion; this study didn’t include massive tears
- other evidence supports early PROM
What is the rationale for early PROM or immobilization?
- early PROM may likely mitigate the most common complication of RC repair which is post-op stiffness
- immobilization should reduce the risk of re-tear
Progression to early resistance therex usually happens by which timeframe for RC repair?
- 6 weeks post-op, but there’s a lot of variability, depending on type of tear, size of tear, tissue health, etc
What are the standard key components to early resistance exercise following RC repair?
- generally low levels of loading
- higher rep ranges (15-20)
- smaller lever arm alignments
- GH positions less than 90* of elevation, and anterior to the coronal plane
- RC and scapular stabilizers, avoiding larger muscle group involvement (lower intensities of movement/strength)
Is the empty can exercise good for RC rehab?
- no. thought to be good for supraspinatus activation, but it’s not worth the IR and anterior tipping created in teh scapula
Scapular stabilizer strength typically focuses on which muscles?
- lower trap
- serratus anterior
What two movements are emphasized with scapular therex in the early stages?
- ER and scapular retraction
What can be added to scapular elevation to maximize lower and middle trap activation?
- ER resistance w/ band
- UT is otherwise the max contributer to trap contraction
What is the range of post-op strength deficits following RC repair?
- 10-30% deficits
What RC musculature is most likely to be deficient following post-op rehab for RC repair?
- posterior musculature, despite the emphasis on ER in rehab
When is it appropriate to begin isometrics for RC repair?
- can begin within the first two weeks; as early as immediately
- ….this all depends on the surgeon’s protocol
When can resisted biceps/triceps curls begin post RC repair?
- as early as 3-6 weeks as long as the GH joint is in a supported position
When can active scapular exercise begin (beyond sidelying) post RC repair?
- as early as 3-6 weeks
When can isotonic resistance exercise usually begin post RC repair?
What are 5 examples that can be good to start with?
- ~6-8 weeks
- sidelying ER
- prone extension
- prone horizontal abduction (start to 45*)
- supine IR
- flexion to 90*
When is it appropriate to begin closed-chain step-ups or quadruped rhythmic stabilization post RC repair?
- 8 weeks
When is it appropriate to begin submax isokinetic therex post RC repair? What should the patient be able to do, criteria wise?
- 10 weeks
- should be able to complete isotonic routine w/ 2-3# and w/o pain
- should have greater IR/ER than is required for the isokinetic therex
When is it expected to start max isokinetic therex post RC repair?
- 12 weeks
When should the formal assessment for appropriateness for return to sport begin post RC repair?
- 12 weeks-ish
What criteria should be met before beginning return to sport programs post RC repair?
- IR/ER strength of at least 85% of the contralateral UE
- ER/IR ratio of 60% or higher (66-75% goal, usually)
- pain-free ROM
- negative impingement and instability signs
How long can a general RC repair rehab course be expected to last?
- about 4 months-ish is appropriate per the guidelines here
What direction of instability is most prevalent?
- anterior instability
How often is posterior instability reported with GH instability?
- traditionally, 2-5% of the time
- one new study indicates much higher rates of posterior and combined instability, estimating as much as 40% of operatively managed cases being due to these dxs
What are the primary intervention approaches for nonoperative management of shoulder instability?
- pt education
- activity modification to reduce pain/inflammation
- RC and scapular stabilizer strengthening
How many different procedures exist to surgically manage shoulder instability?
- over 250.
- takeaway is that communication with the surgeon is important
T or F;
There is high quality research that helps guide instability repair rehab.
- F; most expectations are guided by expert opinion and basic science research re: tissue healing
What are 4 primary goals of post-op surgical stabilization?
- protect healing tissue
- prevent joint hypomobility
- diminish pain/inflammation
- regain normal firing patterns for RC and scapular musculature
Early training following most surgical stabilization should be conducted in which plane of movement?
- scapular plane
- least stress on anterior structures
One would expect protocols for most surgical stabilizations to have goals for full ROM by what timeframe?
- about the 10-12 week mark
What is contraindicated with surgical stabilization repairs?
- stretching
- eventually, I guess it’s ok, but really not appropriate in the first couple of months
What movements are more likely safe to take to tolerance with PROM following surgical stabilization? (4)
- flexion
- scapular plane elevation
- horizontal adduction
- IR
Early ROM following stabilization procedures is likely appropriate for what movement, due to a “low tension” zone in what range?
- likely ok for earlier ER between 30-45* from neutral
What is “obligate motion” and how does it relate to surgical stabilization?
- obligate translation may occur when unchecked/unrecognized posterior capsule tightness leads to unwanted anterior translation against newly plicated tissue
What is the “gold standard” for anterior instability surgical repair?
- Bankart reconstruction
What are 4 standard surgical procedures for anterior instability?
- Bankart reconstruction
- capsular shift and plication
- arthroscopic anterior capsulolabral repair (ACLR)
- anterior latarjet
What are indications for use of an anterior latarjet procedure?
- typically used with instability where labral repair is not possible
- anterior bone loss due to chronic dislocations
- large engaging Hill-Sach’s lesion
What general precautions can be expected after an anterior latarjet procedure?
- same as subscapularis and anterior stabilization precautions
- additionally, protected ER for the first 6 weeks or so
- depending on the procedure, may need to be careful with subscapularis activation
When can light strengthening therex (beyond submax isometrics) w/ light bands or isotonics typically begin following stabilization surgery?
- expect ~4-6 weeks
T or F;
Increases in shoulder dysfunction is associated with increased balance/stability deficits.
- T; implies importance of core stability
T or F;
Underhand sports can go back to sport earlier than overhead athletes.
- T; usually 1-2 months earlier
SLAP lesions are common in what type of athletes?
- overhead athletes