SLAP Repair

SLAP Repair

PHASE I: Protect repair, restore ROM (0 to 6 weeks)

• May remove dressing and shower postop day # 3.
• Sutures are all underneath the skin and will dissolve on their own.
• Ice or cold flow systems encouraged for the first week at a minimum: should be used 3-4 times per day.
• Sling should be in place when not performing exercises.
• Scapular ROM exercises.
• No lifting with involved extremity.
• Avoid pure active shoulder exercises, resisted biceps exercises.
• Avoid shoulder rotation ROM from abducted position and cross body motions.
• Initiate exercise program 3 times per day:
• Immediate elbow, forearm and hand range of motion out of sling
• Pendulum exercises
• Passive and active assistive ROM – flexion and scapular plane elevation to tolerance, ER to 45 (pulleys, supine gravity assisted exercises)
• Emphasize home program

PHASE II: Advance ROM (6 to 12 weeks)

• May discontinue sling.
• Lifting restriction of 10 pounds should be reinforced with patient until 3 months.
• Advance to AROM exercises.
• Advance PROM and capsular mobility as tolerated.
• Avoid rotational ROM in abducted position until 8 weeks postop.
• Initiate rotator cuff and gentle biceps strengthening (up to 10 lbs).

PHASE III: Restore function (> 3 months)

• Discontinue lifting restriction.
• Advance to higher level rotator cuff and scapular stabilizer strengthening.
• Start throwing progression if applicable.