What rehabilitation strategies are effective in promoting recovery fro

Guideline-aligned answer with reasoning, red flags and references. Clinically reviewed by Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGP.

Effective rehabilitation strategies for rotator cuff injury recovery in primary care include:

Initial rest in the acute phase followed by a gradual increase in activity within pain limits to avoid disability and improve function.
Activity modification to reduce precipitating movements, especially overhead activities that cause pain between 60 and 120 degrees of shoulder elevation.
Analgesia starting with paracetamol, progressing to oral NSAIDs if necessary for short-term pain relief, considering contraindications and side effects.
Referral to physiotherapy for a usual course of about 6 weeks, which may include postural correction, motor control retraining, stretching, strengthening of rotator cuff and scapular muscles, and manual therapy.
Low intensity, high-frequency exercises within the person’s pain threshold are recommended, with continuation of physiotherapy for a further 6 weeks if improvement occurs.
Consideration of subacromial corticosteroid injections in the first 8 weeks for severe pain or limited progress, used alongside physiotherapy and analgesia, with shared decision-making and appropriate expertise.

These strategies aim to restore function, reduce pain, and promote healing in rotator cuff injuries managed in primary care settings.

References:

What rehabilitation strategies are effective in promoting recovery from a rotator cuff injury in primary care settings?