There is conflicting evidence about early versus delayed postoperative rehabilitation after arthroscopic cuff repair: early protocol seems to reduce the risk of stiffness but could increase the risk of rupture of the tendon in long time, especially for large tears; delayed protocol impose a period of shoulder immobilization (from 2 weeks to 40-day) that can promote tendons healing but could determine shoulder stiffness. Our research question is if after the delayed protocol used in our institute (40 -day immobilization period) it migh be useful to add soft-tissue mobilization assisted by instruments according to Graston Tecnique to the classic rehabilitation protocol of the shoulder in order to speed up recovery times of the passive movement range.
In shoulder rehabilitation after arthroscopic cuff repair, one of first objectives coincides with improving the range of passive movement: this process often requires considerable time of both patients and physiotherapists. This study aims to verify whether it is useful to add instruments assisted soft-tissue mobilization according to Graston Tecnique to the classic rehabilitation protocol in order to accelerate recovery times of passive range of motion.