PT Protocol – Dr. Blank
ARTHROSCOPIC SLAP REPAIR
It is important that you wear the sling for 4 weeks unless instructed otherwise by Dr.
Blank. Make sure that you drop arm out of sling 2-3 times a day. Begin Phase 1 when
instructed by Dr. Blank. Note: Specific alterations in post-operative protocols if SLAP
repair is combined with capsulorraphy or repair of full thickness rotator cuff tear.
Phase 1 - Week 1-4: Passive Rage Of Motion (PROM) only. (Discuss when to begin
this phase with Dr. Blank)
 Pendulums
 Supine External Rotation: Full PROM, As Tolerated (ER performed in lower
ranges of abduction, less than 60 degrees, to decrease the stress on the repair from
peel-back mechanism)
 Supine Forward Elevation: Full PROM, As Tolerated
 Internal Rotation- No Limit. PROM, As Tolerated
 ROM elbow, wrist, forearm
 Manual resistive exercise for scapular protraction and retraction
 Manual resistance for elbow extension/flexion, forearm pronation/supination, and
wrist flexion/extension, grip strengthening. NOTE: No elbow flexion resistance
or bicep activity for first 6 weeks post-op to protect the SLAP repair
 Sub-maximal isometrics of IR and ER muscles at 0 degrees of abduction to turn
on Rotator Cuff stabilizers
Phase 2 - Week 5: Begin Active Rang of Motion (AROM) with Terminal Stretch - To
Dr. Blank’s prescribed limits
 Pendulums
 Supine Seated External Rotation-Full AROM, As Tolerated. Now OK to have
full ER with 90 degrees of abduction
 Supine Seated Forward Elevation-Full AROM, As Tolerated
 Internal Rotation-Full AROM, As Tolerated
 Initiate upper body ergometer for scapular and general upper body strengthening
 Rhythmic stabilization performed in 90 degrees of shoulder elevation with limited
flexion pressure application to protect SLAP
Phase 3 – Week 3: Begin resisted exercises with Sport Cord and continue with Phase 2
 External Rotation
 Internal Rotation
 Seated Rows
 Standing Forward Punch
 Biceps Curls
 Bear Hugs
 Shoulder Shrugs
Phase 4 - Week 8: Begin weight training
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Advance rotator cuff and scapular progressive exercise using oscillation based
exercise to increase local muscular endurance. Initiation of 90 degree abducted
exercise in scapular plane for internal and external rotation if patient is an
overhead athlete or requires extensive overhead function at work.
Progressive to closed chain exercise by week 8 including step-ups, quadruped
rhythmic stabilization and progressive weight bearing on unstable surface
Initiate upper body extremity (bilateral) plyometric program progressing from
Swiss ball to weighted medicine balls as tolerated
Keep hands within eyesight
Keep elbows bent
Minimize overhead activities
NO: Pull-Downs behind head, Military Press, or wide grip bench!!!
Phase 5 - Week 10-16:
 Initiate isokinetic exercise in the modified neutral position at intermediate and fast
contractible velocities. Patient may begin isokinetics when they are able to use
minimum of 3 # wt or medium resistance theratubing, and can move through the
isokinetic training range pain-free.