Deltoid specific exercise program for degenerative rotator cuff tears

Patients with degenerative rotator cuff tears will be divided in 2 groups (with or without an intact rotator cable) by ultrasonography, physical testing and history taking. Both groups will be following the same exercise protocol: a deltoid rehabilitation program. After 6, 12 and 26 weeks the patients will be scored on the Constant-Murley scale and Western Ontario rotator cuff index.

Greater improvements in outcome (Western ontario rotator cuff index/Constant-Murley scale) with the deltoid exercise program in the intact rotator cable group

6-12 and 26 weeks

After inclusion we started with a short immobilization of the shoulder using a shoulder stabilizing taping technique (see fig…) for 5 days. The second week the patients started with posture and deltoid exercises (see fig…). The physical therapist put an elastic resistance band around the body and arms of the patient. Initial, the patients started with optimizing their posture and subsequently they made a maximum of 20 degrees abduction with both arms while keeping their optimized posture. Patients in both groups had to exercise twice a day in a graded activity like program. The first week they made 3x8 repetitions (with 30 sec rest between repetitions) in the morning and in the evening. The second week 3x10 repetitions, the third week 3x12 repetitions and from week 4 for till week 12, they did 3x 15 repetitions.