Rotator cuff (RC) pathology is a common cause of shoulder pain and can end up in weakness, shoulder instability and limitation of daily activities (work and sports). Symptomatic disease affects between 4% and 32% of the patients’ population with rotator cuff tears [1]. Although patient’s age, activity level, size of the tear and smoking status influence the decision of management, frequently the preferred method of initial treatment is non-surgical. However, if this management is unsuccessful, surgical repair has been shown to relieve pain and improve function in >90% of patients [2]. Surgical repair of the rotator cuff tear aims to restore the anatomy by repositioning the tendon onto the great tuberosity. Rotator cuff tears’ operational techniques have evolved significantly over the past decades. Open RC repairs were the main choice for most of the 20^th century, while later the mini open techniques became the alternative and less invasive gold standard method [3]. Nowadays, the arthroscopic repair is widely spread, least invasive, performed as an outpatient procedure and mainly enables secure fixation and sequentially early return to motion [3, 4]. Arthroscopic technique is now considered to be the standard method although mini-open rotator cuff repair is still performed and has shown equivalent clinical results [5]. Beyond the exact technique used, physical therapy seems to play an important role in the overall final clinical outcome. Postoperative rehabilitation protocols may vary in terms of timing, level of intensity, passive motion or immobilization and time of return to work status [6]. As a result, there are two main proposed approaches regarding the optimal rehabilitation algorithm in the early postoperative phase after rotator cuff surgery. The first is an accelerated program that allows early motion in an effort to reduce postoperative stiffness. The second and most traditional one, suggests more conservative rehabilitation sequence with immobilization for 6 to 8 weeks after surgery in order to protect tendon’s integrity.

The rotator cuff consists of the tendons of subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus and teres minor muscles. Its main role is to dynamically stabilize the glenohumeral joint, prevent upward migration of the humeral head, contribute to the initial phase of shoulder abduction and provide internal and external rotation [7, 8].

Understanding the biology and the biomechanical factors of the injured and, of course, of the repaired RC tendon is an essential component, ensuring a successful rehabilitation protocol. Histological studies suggest that there are three phases in RC healing process that occur immediately after surgical repair: inflammatory phase (7 days), proliferative phase (2 to 3 weeks) and maturation or remodeling phase (12 to 26 weeks) [9]. It is important to understand the duration and biology of this healing sequence in order to provide a safe and personally individualized rehabilitation treatment [10]. Following tendon -to- bone fixation, inflammatory cells along with platelets and fibroblasts migrate into the repair site during the first week and proliferate over the next 2-3 weeks. This cellular proliferation and matrix disposition of this phase is regulated by several growth factors [11]. Three to four weeks following repair, the remodeling procedure begins and scar tissue organizes the extracellular matrix turnover [11]. The initial type III collagen formation is slowly replaced by collagen type I, until mature scar tissue is formed [11, 12]. This remodeling process does not reach maximal tensile strength for a minimum of 12-16 weeks post repair. In general, the normal tendon to bone transition is not ever recreated and the repaired RC tendon heals to the greater tuberosity via fibrocartilage /scar tissue [13, 14]. Normally, the rotator cuff inserts onto the bone through four distinct transition zones: tendon, unmineralized fibrocartilage, mineralized fibrocartilage and bone. After repair, the tendon heals on to the bone with an interposed layer of fibrovascular scar tissue. The mechanical properties of this fibrous tissue are weaker than the native insertion site and may render repairs prone to failure [15].

The primary goals of postsurgical rehabilitation after RC repair are protection of the healing process and parallel prevention of joint stiffness and muscle atrophy. However, there are not many high-level evidence-based studies in the English literature regarding the postoperative rehabilitation protocols. Some authors support the traditional-conservative program, while others present that both protective and accelerated rehabilitation protocols, based on individual patient, minimize the risk for developing postoperative stiffness without compromising the final result. Ghodadra et al. [16] showed that there are many factors that influence rehabilitation, such as surgical approach, quality of the tendon, localization and tear configuration and finally etiology of the rupture (acute vs degenerative).

The most common complication after RC surgical repair is stiffness, regardless of an arthroscopic or open technique. Postoperative stiffness can be an undesired outcome, resulting from prolonged immobilization. In general, rehabilitation protocols need to take into account that tendon to bone healing is slow. However, animal models have shown that postoperative rehabilitation reduces the tension of rotator cuff repairs and improves the healing process. There are many discussions about the duration of immobilization. Most authors agree that a period of immobilization 4 to 6 weeks is beneficial during the early postoperative phase [10]. After this initial 6-week period, most protocols suggest the beginning of a more aggressive passive and active range of motion with a proper progression of activity. Some authors suggest early passive motion in order to avoid stiffness, regardless the slow process of tendon attachment to the bone. They suggest that early motion does not negatively affect tendon healing. However, a recent study shows that longer immobilization periods may not increase the incidence of postoperative stiffness [17]. Regarding immobilization and its effect on the range of motion, many authors reported that postoperative stiffness with delayed motion is not a concern and that these patients will eventually regain full range of motion during the rehabilitation phase [18]. On the other hand, several authors suggest earlier and more aggressive rehabilitation protocols, gradually increasing the range of motion. In these protocols, passive range of motion in the limits of pain tolerance, is recommended, under the supervision or direction of a physical therapist, whileslow protocols generally limit early motion by allowing only limited passive range of motion and do not encourage either active participation or the use of CPM device [19].

Another factor that is usually under discussion is the arm position during immobilization. Arm sling in abduction is now widely suggested while many studies have shown that vascularization is improved and tension of the repaired tendon is minimized in this position [20]. Hatakeyama et al. showed there is less tension on the superior rotator cuff in 30^ο and 45^ο compared to 0 and 15^οof abduction [21].

The benefits of continuous passive motion after rotator cuff repair are not clear. Researchers suggest that CPM minimizes postoperative pain and appears to be more significant when it is used in conjunction with traditional physical therapy. Many authors reported no significant difference in clinical outcome of patients treated with CPM during the first 3-4 weeks following rotator cuff repair in comparison to those treated without it. Lastayo et al. [22] in a level I randomized controlled study compared the results of CPM in passive range of motion and found no significant differences between the two groups concerning pain and motion disability or isometric strength. In conclusion, CPM may be used to gain motion while minimizing muscle activity, however its long-term benefit is still unclear [23].

The role of cryotherapy in the early postoperative period is to decrease pain, swelling, minimize the inflammatory response and improve muscle spasm. Several studies have shown that cryotherapy decreased pain and narcotic medication requirement in the immediate post-operative 24 hours compared to the control group [24].The reason for this is that continuous cryotherapy causes a significant reduction of both glenohumeral joint and subacromial space temperatures at variable times during the first 23 postoperative hours. The effects of cryotherapy seem to be part of the basic analgesic mechanism due to the temperature’s reduction. In conclusion, recent studies endorse the use of cryotherapy at home for 10-14 days after surgery, although there are no well-controlled studies of its continuous application [24].

The benefits and the clinical advantages of water have been utilized for centuries as a mean for rehabilitation, relaxation and training [25]. Aquatic exercises are necessary during the early postoperative phase in maximizing the range of motion in a protective environment. The reason for aquatic exercises being more protective is due to the support of buoyancy and the water’s viscosity [26]. Buoyancy may be used in rehabilitation as assistance, as support and as a resistance. Assisted exercises occur when movements are toward the surface of the water. These exercises are commonly used in increasing mobility, such as when allowing the arm to passively abduct toward the face. For that reasons, the patient may find out that movement patterns occur earlier in the pool than in a gravity environment. Regarding water temperature, recent studies have reported that a warm water pool may improve soft tissue extensibility, by relaxing the muscles in a warm environment. In addition, warm water’s temperature has been found to improve collagen properties [27].

By utilizing a pool for rehabilitation, the patient’s goal of improving range of motion can be achieved easier and much earlier than land-based exercises without compromising the repair integrity [28]. Golland found that exercises performed at 90^ο abduction in the water presented less electrographic activity than land-based exercises [29]. Moreover, it is important to note that exercise in the water can still become resistive from assistive if it is performed quickly enough to encounter water’s viscosity resistance. Taking into account the properties of the water, as well as the physiological responses to immersion both at rest and during exercise, the physical therapist can effectively design a rehabilitation program for the patient.

As mentioned, the ultimate goal of a rehabilitation program after rotator cuff repair is to maintain secure the tendon to bone attachment and prevent shoulder stiffness. An ideal rehabilitation program should be based on close communication between the surgeon and the physical therapy team. It is important to know all the necessary details about the surgery, such as the size of the tear, the exact tendons involved, the quality of tissue and the repair technique used, in order to establish a suitable protocol for the patient. A physical therapist should take into account that every patient and every rotator cuff tear is not the same. For example, geriatric patients or large to massive rotator cuff tears may require a slower form of rehabilitation in order to avoid the risk of re-tear. On the other hand, younger patients or smaller tears with good tissue quality are more likely to undergo an accelerated “return”. In addition, there are many risk factors for postoperative stiffness such as adhesive capsulitis, concomitant labral repair, single tendon rotator cuff repair, coexisting calcific tendinitis and diabetes. Patients with all these factors should start an earlier rehabilitation protocol to avoid postoperative stiffness [30]. For these reason, this close communication with the surgeon should be continued throughout the rehabilitation process in order to end up to a successful outcome for the patient.

Lastly, the physical therapist should take into consideration the clinical goals, the pre-operative activities and the needs of each patient. This entails having a lengthy discussion with the patient before and after the surgery in order to cover every aspect of patient’s recovery, to ensure his compliance with the procedure and finally his return to daily activities.

One of the purposes of this review is to present an approach of common rehabilitation protocols after rotator cuff repair. In general, as mentioned above two different post-operative approaches exist: a moderate or accelerated rehabilitation program and a more conservative one. The moderate protocol will be presented in details (phases and exercises). The conservative-traditional protocol is characterized by a delay in each phase of moderate program (2 to 4 weeks) and a restriction of passive range of motion (2-4 weeks).

Rotator cuff repair is followed by a program consisted of four commonly used and accepted phases, beginning with the aim to protect mainly the repair in the immediate postoperative phase and gradually return to preoperative activity level [31].

Rehabilitation following rotator cuff repair begins with a close communication between the surgeon, the patient and the physical therapy team. It is important that this communication should continue throughout the whole recovery process. The physical therapist should collect all the information and details that are useful in order to create an appropriate and successful rehabilitation protocol. These protocols vary between providers with respect to timing of progressing and appropriate therapeutic exercise. Either a conservative or a moderate rehabilitation protocol is selected, the main goals should always be the maintaining of the repair, the minimizing of tendon stress and pain and the faster return to the previous activities of patients life. A conservative protocol is characterized by either a delay in the initiation or/ and restriction of passive ROM while a moderate /accelerated rehabilitation program is characterized by initiation passive ROM on postoperative time. Nowadays all protocols are commonly based on clinical experience and expert opinion rather than scientific rationale.