Rotator Cuff
Shoulder
Rehabilitation
-Welcome Guide for Patients-
Brandon Togneri
So you injured your
Rotator Cuff
What to Expect
• Event that caused onset of
symptoms
• Anterior/Lateral Shoulder Pain
• Possible Frozen Shoulder
• Deficiency in Range of Motion
• Increased pain while sleeping
• Arm weakness
Trigger Events
• An action that may have
lead to onset of symptoms
• Using arm to break your fall
• Pulling an object that is too
heavy
• Lifting something above
your head improperly
• Repetitive Stresses
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–
–
–
–
Manual Labor
Racquet Sports
Throwing Sports
Swimming
Impact Sports
• Bone deformations
Shoulder Pain
• Often caused by tendonitis,
bursitis, or tears
• Any type of inflammation
will create grinding and
painful frictional forces
throughout these areas
Frozen Shoulder
• Known as Adhesive Capsulitis
• Caused when the joint capsule
becomes immobile by shrinkage
or thickening or of the joint
capsule itself
• Due to scarring, inflammation,
tendonitis, bursitis, or even
arthritis
Range of Motion
• A decrease in range of motion should
be expected
– Especially in abduction
– Difficulty doing overhead
activities is a sign of injured
Rotator Cuff
– Inability to lift arm above a
certain point may mean a torn
Rotator Cuff
Rehabilitation
• Rehab can improve strength,
mobility, and reduce pain
• Rehab will most likely last 4-6
weeks, if not longer
• Surgery may be an option if
damage is too severe
• Home exercise program is key to
success
Program
• Will begin with a 5-10 minute
warm up
• Your personalized rehabilitation
program will most likely contain
several of the key stretches and
exercises in the following sizes
• Can end with ice, heat, and
electrical stimulation depending
on pain level and discomfort
Exercise Protocol
• Overall exercises will be
prescribed and advanced by an
educated, accredited and
licensed physical therapist
• Following their cues, advice,
and instructions will increase
one’s odds of recovery
Anatomy of Rotator
Cuff
• This can be remembered by SITS
– Supraspinatus
– Infraspinatus
– Teres Minor
– Subscapularis
• A Rotator Cuff Injury can occur at any one or
all of these muscles
• You may choose to learn about the muscle
you’ve injured
Supraspinatus
• Originates from the
Action
Supraspinous Fossa, A
shallow depression in the • This muscle abducts the arm
body of the scapular
at the shoulder joint during
• Inserted into Superior Facet the first 10°-15° of
movement
of the Greater Tubercle
• Aids in Shoulder
Stabilization by pulling
Humerus medially against
the Glenoid Fossa
Strengthening the
Supraspinatus
• Pendulums
• Trap Fly
Infraspinatus
• Originates from the
Action
Infraspinous Fossa of the
scapula
• This muscle is the main
external rotator of the
• Inserted into Middle Facet
shoulder
of the Greater Tubercle
• In a fixed position it abducts
• Reinforces the shoulder
the inferior angle of the
joint capsule
scapula
• With the teres minor, rotate
the head of the humerus
outwards
Strengthening The
Infraspinatus
• Pendulums
• Upper Ext Rotation
• External Rotation
Teres Minor
Action
• Originates from the lateral
• Hold and stabilize the
boarder of the scapula
humeral head in the glenoid
• Inserted into inferior facet
cavity of the scapula
of the greater tubercle
• Externally rotate the
• Reinforces the shoulder
humerus, transverse
joint capsule
abduction, extension, and
transverse extension
Strengthening the
Teres Minor
• Horizontal Abduction
• Laying External Rotation
• Sleeper Stretch
Subscapularis
• Originates from the
Subscapular Fossa
• Inserted into the lesser
tubercle of the humerus
Action
• This muscle causes internal
rotation, rotates head of
humerus laterally
• When raised, pulls the
humerus forward and
downward
• Helps prevent shoulder
displacement
Strengthening the
Subscapularis
• Internal Rotation
• Int/Ext Rotation Stretch
• Passive Int Rotation
Enjoy
• Best of luck to you
• Follow your program
closely and take care of
yourself
• Stick with your program
and achieve your
Victory!