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