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There is no established consensus regarding the optimal rehabilitation protocol following rotator cuff repair, including duration of immobilization, timing to initiate range of motion and resistance exercises, and the importance of supervised, formal therapy. The purpose of this study was to determine agreement in opinion regarding rotator cuff rehabilitation between orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists (PTs).A 50-question survey was created on a secure data capture system and distributed via e-mail to members of professional organization affiliations. Surgeon participants were recruited from the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, and PTs were recruited from the American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Therapists and the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy of the American Physical Therapy Association. Survey responses were analyzed for interprofessional differences in majority opinion and distribution of answer choices.A total of 167 surgeons and 667 PTs responded to the survey. Of the 39 questions evaluated, surgeons and PTs reached intraprofessional majority agreement in 26 (67%) and 28 (72%) statements, respectively, with agreements matching in 17 instances and differing in 4. The 2 groups had different answer preferences in 32 questions (82%). PTs were more likely to support shorter immobilization intervals (P.001), earlier strengthening (P.001), and more frequent home exercises (P = .002), whereas surgeons endorsed more conservative weight-bearing restrictions (P.001), time-based phase transitions (P.001), and web-based technological platforms for rehabilitation (P.001).Our findings show that although significant discrepancy of opinion exists within professions, greater differences in preferences exist between surgeons and PTs regarding rotator cuff repair rehabilitation.

Background Scapular dyskinesis is an abnormal scapular motion or position during active arm elevation. Dyskinesis is theorized to contribute to impingement syndrome by decreasing the subacromial space. A corrective maneuver of the scapular assistance test (SAT) proposes to increase scapular upward rotation and posterior tilt to increase the subacromial space. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence that 1) scapular dyskinesis and 2) passive manual correction with the SAT have on subacromial space and 3-dimensional (3-D) scapular kinematics. Materials and methods Forty asymptomatic participants were classified with either obvious dyskinesis (n = 20) or normal motion (n = 20) using the scapular dyskinesis test. The anterior outlet of the subacromial space was measured via the acromiohumeral distance using ultrasound imaging and 3-D scapular orientation was assessed with electromagnetic motion analysis, with the arm at rest 45° and 90° of active elevation with and without the SAT, respectively. Results There were no differences in acromiohumeral distance or scapular kinematics with static active arm elevation between groups. The SAT increased scapular upward rotation, posterior tilt, and acromiohumeral distance in both groups. Participants with dyskinesis demonstrated greater scapular mobility in upward rotation with the SAT, but no additional increase in acromiohumeral distance. Conclusion Scapular dyskinesis identified during active motion did not result in different 3-D scapular orientation or acromiohumeral distance during active arm elevation in static positions; however, the SAT altered scapular kinematics and increased acromiohumeral distance. The SAT may be helpful to identify individuals where subacromial compression is producing symptoms, regardless of dyskinesis.