Small or Medium Rotator Cuff Repair. Stage 1 – Physiotherapy Exercise and Advice

This leaflet informs you about stage 1 post-operative exercises and advice following a small or medium rotator cuff repair.

Before you are discharged, a member of the inpatient therapy team will guide you through the exercises. They will provide you with advice and answer any questions you may have.

You will then be contacted by the outpatient physiotherapy team, who will provide you with advice and exercises to aid in your recovery.

What can I do to help myself?

It is very important to get as much movement back in your shoulder as soon as you can. This will mean you can start to use your shoulder normally and perform your daily functions.

Managing your pain and doing your exercises every day will help this to happen quicker. If you require it, pain relief can be very useful to help minimise any pain and give you the confidence to exercise and use your shoulder.

If you have been given pain relief, you should take it as prescribed. You should always read the label if using over-the-counter medication and, if you are in any doubt, speak to your pharmacist or GP. If your pain becomes severe or is continuous, you should contact your GP.

What exercises should I do following my surgery?

Once the nerve block has fully worn off and you have feeling back in your arm, you may start your home exercise programme. This usually takes between 12 – 48 hours.

You should aim to perform the following exercises 3 times a day. Perform 10 repetitions, have a rest for 1 minute and repeat a further 10 times.

During your operation, your surgeon will decide on a range of movements that you can move your shoulder in without causing any significant stress on the surgical repair. This is called the safe zone.

The safe zone is there to give you the confidence to perform your exercises. The inpatient therapy team will educate you on what your safe zone is and your outpatient physiotherapist will progress and guide your future recovery.

It is normal for you to feel aching, discomfort or a stretching feeling when doing these exercises. If you experience intense or lasting pain (e.g. longer than 30 minutes) do the exercises less forcefully or less often. If this does not help, discuss the problem with the Physiotherapist.

Exercise 1: Seated Table Slides

While sitting, rest your hands on a table. Using a duster or similar object, lean forwards and slide your hands away from your body to as far as comfortable and then return to the start position.

Exercise 2: Shoulder Short Lever Active-Assisted Flexion

Lying on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the bed. Support your operated arm underneath your elbow with your unaffected hand.

Using help from your unaffected arm, slowly lift your operated arm up and away from your chest. Stop at the recommended height from your surgeon (safe zone). Return to the start position.

Note: You can perform the exercise lying on your back as indicated in the above images or seated. Find which position is most comfortable for you.

Exercise 3: Shoulder Active-Assisted External Rotation to Neutral

Start with your hand on your tummy, bend your elbow to 90 degrees, as shown it the Image 1 and 2. Tuck your elbow in by your side with a rolled towel in between your upper arm and body.

Holding a stick or similar object, keeping your elbows in at your side, use your unaffected arm to push the stick outwards to rotate your operated arm through your safe zone. Return to the start position.

Note: You may find it more comfortable to support your arm on a pillow. Some people find this more comfortable to do while lying down (Image 2). Find which position is most comfortable for you.

Contact numbers

Upper Limb Secretary
Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm
Telephone: 01642 624442

Physiotherapy Appointment Queries
Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm
Telephone: 01429 522471

Ward 32/33
24 hours 7 days a week
Telephone: 01642 382832/01642 382732

Useful links

North Tees and Hartlepool Foundation Trust
Upper Limb (Shoulder, elbow, hand, and wrist Surgery) – patient information.
Website: https://www.nth.nhs.uk/services/traumaorthopaedics/upper-limb/

North Tees and Hartlepool Foundation Trust
A video version of the leaflet was developed to help show how to do the individual exercises. The video can be viewed via the link below:
Website: https://www.nth.nhs.uk/services/trauma-orthopaedics/upper-limb/physio-videos/

References

Edwards, P.K., Ebert, J.R., Littlewood, C., Ackland, T. and Wang, A. (2017). A Systematic Review of Electromyography Studies in Normal Shoulders to Inform Postoperative Rehabilitation Following Rotator Cuff Repair. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy

Pictures supplied by Physio Tec: https://physiotec.ca/ca/en

Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints

Patient Experience Team (PET)

We are continually trying to improve the services we provide. We want to know what we’re doing well or if there’s anything which we can improve, that’s why the Patient Experience Team (PET) is here to help. Our Patient Experience Team is here to try to resolve your concerns as quickly as possible. The office is based on the ground floor at the University Hospital of North Tees if you wish to discuss concerns in person. If you would like to contact or request a copy of our PET leaflet, please contact:

Telephone: 01642 624719

Freephone: 0800 092 0084

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm

Email: [email protected]

Out of hours

Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard who will bleep the appropriate person.

Telephone: 01642 617617

Data protection and use of patient information

The Trust has developed Data Protection policies in accordance with Data Protection Legislation (UK General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. All of our staff respect these policies and confidentiality is adhered to at all times. If you require further information on how we process your information please see our Privacy Notices.

Telephone: 01642 383551

Email: [email protected]

Leaflet feedback

This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Clinical Governance team, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of North Tees, TS19 8PE or:

Email: [email protected]

Leaflet Reference: PIL1287
Date for Review: 28/11/2025