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Rotator Cuff Repair Companion

Applied Companion

Rotator Cuff Repair Companion

A structured companion for rotator cuff repair recovery, with support for precautions, phased progression, daily routines, symptom awareness, and care-team follow-through.

Format digital
Access $39.00
Item ID acd001
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Educational support only. This resource complements, not replaces, provider instructions, facility policy, or medical advice.

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Rotator Cuff Surgery Recovery Guide
Rotator Cuff Anatomy — Simplified

Understanding what the rotator cuff does can make the recovery process far less confusing.

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder and help lift and rotate the arm. When one of these tendons tears, shoulder strength and movement can become painful or limited.

Surgical repair reconnects the torn tendon to the bone so that it can heal and gradually regain strength.

The Rotator Cuff Applied Companion includes simplified illustrations designed to help patients understand:

  • The structure of the shoulder joint
  • How rotator cuff tears occur
  • How surgical repair restores tendon attachment
  • Why rehabilitation exercises are important during recovery

These illustrations are designed to make complex medical concepts easier to understand for patients and caregivers.

rotator cuff repair rotator cuff surgery recovery shoulder surgery recovery shoulder rehabilitation arthroscopic rotator cuff repair recovery timeline shoulder precautions sling management rehabilitation tracking physical therapy orthopedic recovery postoperative shoulder care

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Rotator Cuff Bundle

Built for users who want this Companion plus the most useful connected supports in one organized pathway.

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Clinical Confidence

Evidence behind this resource

20 sources
Evidence-informed

Guidance is connected to the CarePlanCompass™ reference database.

AMA-style references

Sources are formatted for clinical review and transparency.

Methodology available

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View clinical references 20 sources
  1. Thigpen CA, Shaffer MA, Gaunt BW, Leggin BG, Williams GR, Wilcox RB III. The American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Therapists' consensus statement on rehabilitation following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2016;25(4):521-535. doi:10.1016/j.jse.2015.12.018 Source
  2. Massachusetts General Brigham Sports Medicine. Rehabilitation Protocol for Rotator Cuff Repair—Small to Medium Sized Tears. Massachusetts General Hospital. 2020;Updated June 2020. Accessed October 2, 2026. https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/content/dam/unified-xwalk/pdf/patient-education/english/rehabilitation-protocol-for-rotator-cuff-tear-small-to-medium-tear.pdf Source
  3. Koo SS, Burkhart SS. Rehabilitation following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Clin Sports Med. 2010;29(2):203-211. doi:10.1016/j.csm.2009.12.001 Source
  4. Jost B, Zumstein M, Pfirrmann CWA, Gerber C. Long-term outcome after structural failure of rotator cuff repairs. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2006;88(3):472-479. doi:10.2106/JBJS.E.00003 Source
  5. Hao B, Li H, Liang A. Effects of early exercise and immobilization after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2025;26(1):254. doi:10.1186/s12891-025-08500-7 Source
  6. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Management of Rotator Cuff Injuries: Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2025;Published August 18, 2025. Accessed October 2, 2026. https://www.aaos.org/quality/quality-programs/rotator-cuff/ Source
  7. Chan K, MacDermid JC, Hoppe DJ, et al. Delayed versus early motion after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: a meta-analysis. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2014;23(11):1631-1639. doi:10.1016/j.jse.2014.05.021 Source
  8. Longo UG, Risi Ambrogioni L, Berton A, et al. Conservative versus accelerated rehabilitation after rotator cuff repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2021;22(1):637. doi:10.1186/s12891-021-04397-0 Source
  9. Kanat C, Altun Uğraş G, Ünal R, Dönmez SC, Taşdelen B, Öztuna FV. The effect of video-assisted training on upper extremity problems and functions after rotator cuff repair: a randomized controlled trial. Turk J Med Sci. 2024;54(1):165-174. doi:10.55730/1300-0144.5777 Source
  10. Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Shoulder Institute. Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Protocol. Boston Shoulder Institute. 2020;Published 2020. Accessed October 2, 2026. https://bostonshoulderinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/PT-Rotator-Cuff-Reconstruction-AM-JJW.pdf Source
  11. Grubhofer F, Ernstbrunner L, Gerber C, et al. Effect of abduction brace wearing compliance on the results of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. JB JS Open Access. 2022;7(2):e21.00148. doi:10.2106/JBJS.OA.21.00148 Source
  12. Kim H, Lee S. Postoperative rehabilitation protocol following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: a prospective single-arm pragmatic interventional study. Medicina (Kaunas). 2022;58(6):729. doi:10.3390/medicina58060729 Source
  13. Nair AV, Veerendra K, Rajan A, et al. Transient increase in anxiety and depression following rotator cuff repair. JSES Int. 2026;10(4):101704. doi:10.1016/j.jseint.2026.101704 Source
  14. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Joint Motion: Method of Measuring and Recording. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 1965.
  15. Norkin CC, White DJ. Measurement of Joint Motion: A Guide to Goniometry. 5th ed. F.A. Davis. 2016.
  16. Sridharan MJ, Everhart JS, Frantz TL, et al. High prevalence of outpatient falls following elective shoulder arthroplasty. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2020;29(4):699-706. doi:10.1016/j.jse.2019.11.019
  17. Longo UG, Candela V, De Salvatore S, et al. Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair improves sleep disturbance and quality of life: a prospective study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(7):3797. doi:10.3390/ijerph18073797
  18. Alshahir AA, Alorf K, Alhabradi F, et al. The effect of vitamin D deficiency on post-operative outcomes following rotator cuff repair: a meta-analysis. Cureus. 2025;17(8):e90644. doi:10.7759/cureus.90644
  19. Hong CK, Chang CJ, Kuan FC, et al. Patients with diabetes mellitus have a higher risk of tendon retear after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: a meta-analysis. Orthop J Sports Med. 2020;8(11):2325967120961406. doi:10.1177/2325967120961406
  20. Cefalu CA, Lowenstein NA, Garvey KD, Collins JE, Matzkin EG. Impact of smoking on patient-reported outcome measures after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: a 2-year comparative cohort study. JSES Int. 2021;5:454-458. doi:10.1016/j.jseint.2021.01.002

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