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Shoulder Stabilisation and Bankart Repair: Your Path Back to Sport

Shoulder Stabilisation and Bankart Repair: Your Path Back to Sport

by | May 19, 2025 | Return to Sport, Shoulder, Sports Injury, Surgery

Recovering from a shoulder stabilisation surgery, particularly a Bankart repair, can feel like navigating a winding trail. At Praxis Physiotherapy, we understand that athletes don’t just want to heal – they want to return stronger, more confident, and ready for action. This blog explores the key milestones in overhead and contact sport rehabilitation and the compelling evidence that supports structured physiotherapy.

Understanding Shoulder Stabilisation and Bankart Repair

The Bankart repair is a surgical intervention for traumatic anterior shoulder dislocations, which are most common in young, active populations – particularly those involved in contact or overhead sports. This procedure reattaches the torn labrum to the glenoid, restoring joint stability. While the surgery addresses structural instability, it is only the first step. Rehabilitating the shoulder to perform under high-stress, dynamic sporting conditions is where physiotherapy becomes crucial (Coyle et al., 2022).

 

Rehabilitation Phases: Beyond the Basics

Rehabilitation after Bankart repair generally progresses through four overlapping phases:

1. Protection & Early Mobility (0–6 weeks)

Initial goals include reducing pain and inflammation while protecting the repair. Gentle passive and assisted range-of-motion exercises begin, with sling use gradually tapered.

2. Strength Building (6–12 weeks)

Isometric and light resistance training begins. Scapular control and rotator cuff strengthening are vital. Coyle et al. (2022) found wide variability in when strengthening begins, from 1 to 12 weeks, underscoring the importance of tailored plans.

3. Advanced Control & Load Tolerance (12–20 weeks)

This phase introduces overhead activity simulation, plyometrics, and proprioceptive drills. Neuromuscular training improves shoulder resilience, especially under rapid direction changes and contact stress (Ialenti et al., 2017).

4. Return to Sport (20+ weeks)

Athletes progressively re-engage in sport-specific drills, initially non-contact, then full-contact scenarios. Full return to competitive play often occurs around 5–6 months, but timelines vary based on sport demands (Kasik et al., 2019).

 

The Evidence: Why Physiotherapy Matters

  • A systematic review by Rossi et al. (2021) revealed that 27% of athletes failed to return to sport post-surgery. Most cited fear of reinjury, not physical limitation, as the main barrier. Targeted rehab can address both physical readiness and confidence.
  • Kim et al. (2023) showed that factors such as shoulder strength, proprioception, and psychological readiness were predictive of successful return. Structured physiotherapy addresses all three.
  • The American Journal of Sports Medicine confirms that progressive loading, especially for overhead and contact tasks, enhances long-term outcomes and reduces recurrence rates (Kim et al., 2023).
  • Alsomali et al. (2021) and Stone & Pearsall (2014) agree that sport-specific milestones are crucial, with a general return-to-contact timeline of 16–24 weeks depending on the sport.

Back in the Game: What Sets Our Approach Apart

At Praxis Physiotherapy, our shoulder rehabilitation programs don’t just follow protocols – they evolve with the athlete. We incorporate evidence-based practices and tailor each phase to your sport, position, and performance goals. Whether you’re a rugby forward or a volleyball setter, our rehab plan adapts to your demands.

We emphasise:

  • Early and progressive exposure to overhead mechanics
  • Integrated neuromuscular training for dynamic stability
  • Gradual and safe return-to-contact drills
  • Psychological readiness assessments to overcome fear of reinjury

 

Summary Timeline for Return to Sport

Phase Timeframe Focus
Protection & Early Mobility 0–6 weeks Pain control, protected motion
Strength & Motor Control 6–12 weeks Rotator cuff & scapular strengthening
Overhead & Contact Prep 12–20 weeks Plyometrics, proprioception, advanced drills
Return to Sport 20–26+ weeks Gradual return to contact and full intensity

Final Thoughts: Your Comeback Starts with the Right Team

Recovering from shoulder stabilisation surgery is not just about healing – it’s about coming back better. Evidence clearly shows that structured, progressive physiotherapy is essential for returning to sport safely and confidently.

At Praxis Physiotherapy, we’re here to guide that journey every step of the way. If you are ready to get started, book online today.

Until next time, Praxis What You Preach…

📍 Clinics in Teneriffe, Buranda, and Carseldine

💪 Trusted by athletes. Backed by evidence. Here for everyone.

References
  • Coyle, M., Jaggi, A., Weatherburn, L., Daniell, H., & Chester, R. (2022). Post-operative rehabilitation following traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation: A systematic scoping review. Shoulder & Elbow, 15(5), 554–565.
  • Ialenti, M. N., Mulvihill, J. D., Feinstein, M., Zhang, A. L., & Feeley, B. T. (2017). Return to play following shoulder stabilization: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, 5(9)
  • Kasik, C. S., Rosen, M. R., Saper, M. G., & Zondervan, R. L. (2019). High rate of return to sport in adolescent athletes following anterior shoulder stabilisation: A systematic review. Journal of ISAKOS, 4(1), 43–50.
  • Kim, M., Haratian, A., Fathi, A., Kim, D. R., Patel, N., Bolia, I. K., … & Weber, A. E. (2023). Can we identify why athletes fail to return to sports after arthroscopic Bankart repair? A systematic review and meta-analysis. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 51(9), 2480–2486.
  • Rossi, L. A., Tanoira, I., Brandariz, R., Pasqualini, I., & Ranalletta, M. (2021). Reasons why athletes do not return to sports after arthroscopic Bankart repair: A comparative study of 208 athletes with minimum 2-year follow-up. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, 9(7)
  • Alsomali, K., Kholinne, E., Nguyen, T. V., Cho, C.-H., Kwak, J.-M., Koh, K.-H., & Jeon, I.-H. (2021). Outcomes and return to sport and work after open Bankart repair for recurrent shoulder instability: A systematic review. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, 9(10)
  • Stone, G. P., & Pearsall, A. W. (2014). Return to play after open Bankart repair: A systematic review. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, 2(2),
From Pitch to Pressing: Leading the Way in Shoulder Pain Recovery

From Pitch to Pressing: Leading the Way in Shoulder Pain Recovery

by | May 10, 2025 | Return to Sport, Shoulder, Sport, Sports Injury

Understanding Rotator Cuff Pain in Active Populations

Shoulder pain, particularly rotator cuff (RC) injuries, is one of the most common complaints among athletes and active individuals. The rotator cuff, comprising the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis, stabilises the shoulder and enables dynamic overhead movement. Athletes in cricket, tennis, AFL, and CrossFit are especially prone to strain this system through repetitive, high-load movements (Desmeules et al., 2025).

At Praxis Physiotherapy, we specialise in managing rotator cuff injuries with precision. Our expertise spans throwing athletes, tennis players at our Coops Club location, contact sports like AFL, and recreational CrossFit athletes — ensuring tailored care across sporting domains.

Tailored Treatment Backed by Clinical Evidence

Current guidelines recommend avoiding over-reliance on imaging and emphasize active rehabilitation. Many rotator cuff cases can be effectively managed without surgery, using structured, progressive rehab programs including resistance training, neuromuscular re-education, and load management (Desmeules et al., 2025).

Key strategies include:

  • Individualised education about the condition and recovery timeline
  • Isometric and isotonic strengthening of shoulder stabilizers
  • Use of validated outcome tools (e.g., handheld dynamometry, ROM apps) to track progress
  • Selective adjuncts, such as manual therapy or taping, when needed for short-term symptom relief

In persistent or complex cases, our close collaboration with shoulder and knee surgeon Dr. Kelly Macgroarty ensures a seamless escalation pathway and expert review.

man throwing yellow, blue, and red Mikasa ballThe Athletic Shoulder: Why Sport-Specific Rehab Matters

The demands placed on a shoulder in throwing or overhead sports are extreme. During a cricket bowl or tennis serve, angular velocities can reach 7000–7500°/s, and forces on the shoulder joint can exceed bodyweight (Wilk et al., 2009). These actions demand both mobility and stability—a balance referred to as the “thrower’s paradox.”

Our assessments go beyond the shoulder joint, considering the entire kinetic chain — from trunk control to hip mobility — to ensure optimal movement integration and minimize overload (Cools et al., 2021).

The Evidence on Rehabilitation & Prognosis

Recent guidelines emphasize exercise-based rehab as the most effective first-line intervention. Strength gains and symptom reduction are typically seen within 12 weeks if appropriately dosed (Desmeules et al., 2025). Furthermore, the longer pain persists, the lower the likelihood of full recovery from physiotherapy alone (Chester et al., 2013).

In terms of injury prevention, shoulder-focused warm-up programs — such as FIFA 11+, the Oslo Shoulder Program, and sport-specific throwing drills — have shown a moderate to large effect size in reducing injury risk (Liaghat et al., 2023).

Return to Sport: Measured, Not Rushed

Our return-to-sport protocols are designed to ensure both readiness and resilience. We use objective criteria:

  • Strength benchmarks (e.g. ER/IR ratio)
  • Symmetry comparisons
  • Fatigue tolerance testing
  • Sport-specific drills and reactive control

Whether you’re pressing overhead in a CrossFit WOD, tackling in AFL, or ramping up bowling loads in cricket, our protocols ensure a safe and confident return.

Prevention: Not an Afterthought

Our clinic philosophy incorporates injury prevention from the first session (PREVENT | PREPARE | PERFORM). For athletes at our Coops tennis facility, we screen for scapular dyskinesis and GIRD (glenohumeral internal rotation deficit). For CrossFitters, we optimise loading strategies and lifting technique.

Prevention is an ongoing cycle: screen, intervene, reassess. It’s not just about avoiding injury—it’s about building capacity and sustaining high performance (Cools et al., 2021).

Conclusion

Rotator cuff pain doesn’t have to be a long-term setback. With expert diagnosis, individualised rehab, and a sport-specific return plan, most athletes recover without surgery. At Praxis, we combine cutting-edge evidence with clinical experience — and our collaboration with orthopaedic surgeon’s and sports medicine practitioners means you’re in expert hands every step of the way. For more on throwing specifically, check out our blog where we put the Praxis team to the test!

Ready to take control of your shoulder pain? Book an appointment today and let our team guide you back to strength, confidence, and performance.

📍 Clinics in Teneriffe, Buranda, and Carseldine

💪 Trusted by athletes. Backed by evidence. Here for everyone.

References

  1. Desmeules, F. et al. (2025). Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: Diagnosis, Nonsurgical Medical Care, and Rehabilitation: A Clinical Practice Guideline. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 55(4), 235–274.
  2. Wilk, K.E. et al. (2009). Shoulder Injuries in the Overhead Athlete. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 39(2), 38–54.
  3. Cools, A.M. et al. (2021). The Challenge of the Sporting Shoulder: From Injury Prevention Through Sport-Specific Rehabilitation Toward Return to Play. Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 64, 101384.
  4. Chester, R. et al. (2013). Predicting Response to Physiotherapy for Musculoskeletal Shoulder Pain: A Systematic Review. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 14, 203.
  5. Liaghat, B. et al. (2023). Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment of Common Shoulder Injuries in Sport: Grading the Evidence. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 57, 408–416.
FACT OR FICTION FRIDAY || All rotator cuffs tears need surgery.

FACT OR FICTION FRIDAY || All rotator cuffs tears need surgery.

by | Dec 28, 2019 | Pain, Shoulder, Surgery

Answer: FICTION. The devil is in the detail!

The rotator cuff is a group of 4 muscles that aid in providing stability through range for the shoulder joint, particularly overhead. There are multiple risk factors for RC tears, but most are down to overactivity of the shoulder joint decreased conditioning of the shoulder complex, which comes with age. In fact, cuff tears are common in individuals over the age of 40 with linear increase in incidence as we get older.

Pain with movement and function is one of the biggest symptoms of a rotator cuff tear. However, it is important to know that a sizeable portion of RC tears are actually asymptomatic and don’t cause the person any pain or discomfort! A study by Minagawa and Yamamoto in 2013 found that in a screening of 664 village residents, 147 subjects had RC tears on a medical imaging screening. Surprisingly 65% of them had no symptoms at all and didn’t have any shoulder complaints.

Mid Potion Achilles Tendinopathy Location

The two main ways of treating a cuff tear is either through conservative management with your physiotherapist or down the surgical route, which is also then followed by physiotherapy rehabilitation.

SO, back to the original question: “Do I need surgery?”. As always – it is a case by case decision!! There is no definitive evidence for supporting one over the other generally speaking!

However, it is vitally important to note that each option comes with their own pros and cons. Furthermore, it is important to remember that just as every person is different, each case of rotator cuff tear is different. Young vs old, acute vs degenerative RC tear, current and desired future function, pain levels, radiographic findings, previous history of shoulder trauma and the patient’s wishes are only some of the questions that aid in the decision process.

The best way to decide would be to contact us to asses you and discuss both options and what your goals of rehab are so that a tailored plan can be developed WITH you. To read more about RC tears, read our blog here

To get your shoulder back on track, book online or give us a call on (07) 3102 3337.

Team Praxis

PREVENT | PREPARE | PERFORM

Stingers AKA Neural traction injuries

Stingers AKA Neural traction injuries

by | Dec 17, 2019 | Nerve Pain, Pain, Shoulder, Sports Injury

SUMMARY:

  • Stingers are essentially a tractioning of the neural system
  • This can cause pain, movement and sensation changes
  • Chronic traction to the nervous system can have a cumulative effect on nerve function
  • The more damage to the nerve, the more serious the outcome
  • We shouldn’t be as dismissive of “stingers”, particularly if they are recurrent
  • Physiotherapy has a role to play

STINGERS:

Stingers have been the catch cry of many contact sports over the years. Often dismissed as ‘just a stinger’, trauma to the nervous system should probably be taken a little more seriously, as we delve into detail today.

Stingers are most commonly experienced in contact sports whereby the shoulder of a players is forcefully depressed, as experienced with a tackle in NRL or union. A large range of motion over a short period of time can result in a ‘traction’ of the Brachial Plexus (a network of nerves formed from exiting branches of the spinal cord in the neck that transverse to the shoulder and arm). Thus network of nerves sends signals from your spinal cord to your shoulder, arm and hand and thereby providing feeling and movement to these regions.

BACKGROUND:

To understand a stinger injury, a clear understanding of nerves and nerve related injuries is required. A nerve is an enclosed, cable-like bundle of nerve fibres called axons, in the peripheral nervous system. A nerve provides a common pathway for the electrochemical nerve impulses that provide a number of functions, including getting our muscles to move!

Seddon and Sunderland present a five-grade classification scale for nerve related injuries[1-4]. Figure 1 illustrates the physiological changes that occur through each grade of injury. Essentially it outlines the greater amount of disruption to the anatomy of the nerve.

The more damage to the nerve, the more serious the outcome. Table 1 outlines the three different grades of stinger injuries.[4, 5] The most common stinger is a grade 1 injury, which represents a neurapraxia, or nerve stretch injury, without axonal disruption.[4] In an acute setting, this can result in motor and sensory loss/changes, which usually resolve within minutes.[1, 4] Grade 2 and 3 involve a higher degree of nerve injury, usually involving a crush, transection or compression mechanism.[1]

Chronic traction to the nervous system can have a cumulative effect on nerve function. This is termed “chronic stinger syndrome” and represents a distinct entity from acute stingers that may reflect long- standing structural changes of the subaxial spinal canal and chronic irritation/degeneration of the exiting nerve root complex.[4, 6]. This sounds complex but essentially means

Mid Potion Achilles Tendinopathy Location

A Clinical Example from Zac

“During a Gridiron match, a player was injured whilst making a tackle. I reviewed the player on field and he was unable to utilise his right upper limb (full paralysis) from shoulder down to his hand. The player was removed from the field immediately to be further assessed and monitored. A complete neurovascular assessment was performed, assessing motor function/strength, sensation, reflexes, and vascular status, as well was the cervical spine. Motor and sensation changes were the only deficits noted and were reviewed frequently. After roughly five minutes, the player demonstrated full upper limb motor strength and sensation, with nil lingering symptoms. In collaboration with the patient, it was decided he would return to match play immediately. The patient was monitored throughout the game and reported no further symptoms.”

Figure 2 shows a proposed decision tree when managing stinger injuries.[4] This clinical example outline above fits the Grade 1 Mild category as he was able to return to competition with nil lingering symptoms. Despite the lack of symptoms during the game, it is recommended the patient be reviewed again both after the game and weekly for two weeks to ensure a full resolution of symptoms.[4, 7]

The role for neural mobilisation?

Current non-surgical management involves rest, pain control and resistance training[4]. Though not explored within the literature, neural mobilization may have an important role in patients with persistent symptoms, such as Grade 1 moderate to severe, and more recurrent neuropraxias. Though not assessed in this specific population, there is evidence for neural tissue management being superior to minimal intervention for pain relief and reduction of disability in nerve related chronic musculoskeletal pain.[8] It is biologically plausible that recurrent neuropraxias may respond in a similar way, utilising neural mobilisation (tensioning or sliding) and mobilisation of surrounding structures.

Management of persistent Grade 1 injuries may differ slightly, specifically if the suspected mechanism of injury was through traction rather than compression. The nerve structures may have a heightened sensitivity to tensioning based techniques due to the similar mechanism of injury and may respond better acutely to sliding techniques which limit the strain on the nerve and focus on excursion. Tensioning techniques may be important in the sub-acute phase by loading the patient’s nervous system (i.e. increased strain) in preparation for return to function (i.e. tackling with acute traction on the brachial plexus).

In summary, perhaps we shouldn’t be as dismissive of “stingers”, particularly if they are recurrent for you! If you have any questions or would like to see one of our physios regarding your injury, feel free to contact us on (07) 3102 3337 or book online on our website

Till next time, Praxis what you Preach

Team Praxis

Prevent | Prepare | Perform

REFERENCES:

Menorca, R.M.G., T.S. Fussell, and J.C. Elfar, Nerve physiology: mechanisms of injury and recovery. Hand clinics, 2013. 29(3): p. 317-330.

Tsao B, B.N., Bethoux F, Murray B, Trauma of the Nervous System, Peripheral Nerve Trauma. 6th ed. In: Daroff: Bradley’s Neurology in Clinical Practice. 2012.

Sunderland, S., A classification of peripheral nerve injuries producing loss of function. Brain, 1951. 74(4): p. 491-516.

Ahearn, B.M., H.M. Starr, and J.G. Seiler, Traumatic Brachial Plexopathy in Athletes: Current Concepts for Diagnosis and Management of Stingers. J Am Acad Orthop Surg, 2019.

Feinberg, J.H., Burners and stingers. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am, 2000. 11(4): p. 771-84.

Presciutti, S.M., et al., Mean subaxial space available for the cord index as a novel method of measuring cervical spine geometry to predict the chronic stinger syndrome in American football players. J Neurosurg Spine, 2009. 11(3): p. 264-71.

Aldridge, J.W., et al., Nerve entrapment in athletes. Clin Sports Med, 2001. 20(1): p. 95-122.

Su, Y. and E.C. Lim, Does Evidence Support the Use of Neural Tissue Management to Reduce Pain and Disability in Nerve-related Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain?: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis. Clin J Pain, 2016. 32(11): p. 991-1004.

Shoulder Pain

Shoulder Pain

by | Dec 6, 2019 | Gym and Strength, Pain, Shoulder, Sports Injury

Do you have a ‘good’ and ‘bad’ shoulder? Have you been putting up with that grumbly shoulder for weeks, months or even years? Shoulder pain can but a real dampener on your activity levels – but it doesn’t need to!

We at Praxis, pride ourselves on taking the time to listen, assess and accurately diagnose your shoulder pains. Some of the more common complaints we hear are:

  • Sharp, dull, deep, aching pains around the shoulder
  • ‘Popping’ or ‘crackling’ sounds or feelings in the shoulder joint
  • Pain in the mornings after lying on that side
  • A feeling of the arm ‘separating’, ‘popping out’, ‘slipping’ or feeling unstable
  • Losing power when doing overhead tasks such as swimming, throwing or gym work
  • Pains, pins and needles and numbness down the arms or pain up into the neck
  • The shoulder feeling stiff and sometimes even “frozen”

So whether your symptoms are as a result of wear and tear or an acute trauma from sport, general life or occupation, we are here to help. The shoulder needs to be strong AND mobile so if yours isn’t, then contact us today on (07) 3102 3337 or book in online We are located at 4 convenient locations around Brisbane. Teneriffe, Woolloongabba, Bowen Hills and Carseldine.

Team Praxis,

PREVENT | PREPARE | PERFORM

ROTATOR CUFF TEARS || Do I Need Surgery?

ROTATOR CUFF TEARS || Do I Need Surgery?

by | Sep 14, 2019 | Pain, Shoulder, Surgery

That age old question in which the answers seems to be becoming increasingly more difficult to answer. We have looked over the research and tried to simply things for those who are unsure about what to do with their shoulder.

SUMMARY:

  • A rotator cuff (RC) tear is a common cause of pain and disability among adults.
  • There are multiple risk factors for RC tears, but most are down to overactivity of the shoulder joint decreased conditioning of the shoulder complex, which comes with age.
  • Most common in individuals over the age of 40 with linear increase in incidence as we get older.
  • A well-constructed strength program and active lifestyle is pivotal for preventing RC tears.
  • Diagnosis of a RC tear is done through first a physical examination, which is then followed by a positive finding on medical imaging.
  • To two main ways of treating a RC tear is either through conservative management with your physiotherapist or down the surgical route, which is also then followed by physiotherapy rehabilitation.
  • There is evidence for both choices and the decision between the two is down to many factors and the well-trained and experienced physiotherapists at Praxis Physiotherapy can greatly assist you in making the decision!

ANATOMY

The rotator cuff (RC) muscles are a group of four muscles that act as rotators and stabilisers of the shoulder. These are supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis and teres minor. Supraspinatus is the most frequently torn of this group.

These muscles work to help raise and rotate your arm for everyday activities such as putting on a t-shirt, combing your hair or putting away dishes on a high shelf. In sport the cuff works as a dynamic stabilisers of the shoulder to help cope with the forces associated with overhead activities such as swimming, tennis serving, throwing or weight lifting. Simply put, the cuff aids in keeping the ball (head) of your upper-arm bone (humerus) in your shoulder socket with movement.

CAUSES, SYMPTOMS & RISK FACTORS

The cause of RC tears is multifactorial. Degeneration (which comes with age), impingement and overload, may all contribute in varying degrees to the development of rotator cuff tears.

Mid Potion Achilles Tendinopathy Location

This disease is primarily of middle aged and older patients with observational data reveals a nearly linear increase in the frequency of rotator cuff tears with age. Pain with movement and function is one of the biggest symptoms of a rotator cuff tear. However, it is important to know that a sizeable portion of rotator cuff tears are actually asymptomatic and don’t cause the person any pain or discomfort! A study by Minagawa and Yamamoto in 2013 found that in a screening of 664 village residents, 147 subjects had RC tears on a medical imaging screening. Surprisingly 65% of them had no symptoms at all and didn’t have any shoulder complaints.

Why is this important? Well if you end up going to a GP and he/she send you for a scan and finds a torn RC, most will assume that it is the cause of them pain, but as seen in the study this is definitely not always the case. Before it can be decided whether the RC tear is the causes of the pain there are numerous structures in and around the shoulder that have to be examined and “crossed off the list” of possible causes of the pain. This can only be done by a physical examination of the shoulder which can be done by an experienced physiotherapist.

TREATMENT: CONSERVATIVE OR SURGICAL

The decision of treatment for rotator cuff tears is dependent on many factors. The current literature on the topic states three main modalities of treatment for a symptomatic RC tear; these being:

  • Use of a corticosteroid injection
  • Physiotherapy intervention
  • Surgical management

The use of corticosteroid injections is commonly recommended by GP’s for treatment of pain in RC tears. They may provide pain reduction in some patients but is important that you talk to your GP about both the pro’s and con’s of these injections as the current evidence does support that these injections do in fact have a detrimental effect on tendon health and strength.

In addressing whether a surgical or conservative route should be taken, there is currently very limited literature and evidence to support one modality over the other. A study by Lambers and van Raay in 2015 looked at comparing the effectiveness of surgical versus conservative management of 56 patients with rotator cuff repairs. They followed up over a year and the results showed no significant difference in pain and disability in favour of either modality.

However, a study by Moosymayer and colleagues collected data from 103 patients with RC tears, with half having surgical repairs and half being treated conservatively with physiotherapy. They were followed up over 10 years at 6 months, 1, 2, 5 and 10 year marks. The first three follow up saw no difference in results between both modalities. However at the 5 and 10 year follow ups they found preferable outcomes for surgical repair over conservative treatment, with a small proportion of the conservative management patients opting for surgical treatment at the 5 and 10 year marks due to decreased satisfaction in results from conservative management.

The big answer for the whether conservative management or surgical management is best for a rotator cuff tear………….

As always – it is a case by case decision!! There is no definitive evidence for supporting one over the other generally speaking! However, it is vitally important to note that each option comes with their own pros and cons. Furthermore, it is important to remember that just as every person is different, each case of rotator cuff tear is different. Young vs old, acute vs degenerative RC tear, current and desired future function, pain levels, radiographic findings, previous history of shoulder trauma and the patient’s wishes are only some of the questions that aid in the decision process. The best way to decide would be to contact your physiotherapist and have chat about both options and what the goals of rehab are so that a tailored plan can be developed WITH you.

We here at Praxis Physiotherapy pride ourselves on providing the best possible treatment and advice on all things musculoskeletal and are more than happy to assist, and advise you on your decision regarding rotator cuff tears. We also work closely with a number of excellent orthopedic surgeons specialising in shoulders in Brisbane to ensure you get the best possible advice and intervention if you require it. So stop waiting and suffering, give us a ring and book an appointment on (07) 3102 3337 or simply book online

Till Next Time, Praxis What You Preach

The Praxis Team

PREVENT | PREPARE | PERFORM