A Scoping Review of Postoperative Rehabilitation Protocols After Superior Capsular Reconstruction for Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears

Abstract

Background: Superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) is an option for patients with massive or irreparable rotator cuff tears. Purpose: To describe the literature on rehabilitation protocols after SCR of rotator cuff tears, with emphasis on the timing of the introduction of motion. Study Design: Scoping review; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: We conducted a scoping review of articles published on PubMed, Ovid, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from inception to October 2020. The methodological index for non-randomized studies (MINORS) was used to assess the individual studies. For each article, we summarized the study characteristics, patient demographics, and rehabilitation protocols after SCR: duration of immobilization, initiation of passive range of motion (ROM), active-assisted ROM, active ROM, strengthening, and return to activities. In a subgroup narrative analysis, rehabilitation protocols were stratified by graft type: autograft versus nonautograft (xenograft, allograft, and synthetic). Results: A total of 21 studies met the search criteria. Six studies had level 3 evidence and 15 had level 4 evidence; 16 studies were considered high quality according to the MINORS score. After SCR, an abduction immobilizer was recommended for a duration of 3 to 6 weeks. Of the 21 studies, 7 (33%) started passive ROM during the first week, and 5 reported strict immobilization without motion for up to 6 weeks. All 8 studies that reported return-to-sports timing recommended delaying return until at least 6 months postoperatively. Passive ROM was recommended earlier for patients with nonautograft versus autograft (χ2 = 225; P < .001). There was a high level of heterogeneity in the rehabilitation protocols after SCR. Conclusion: The majority of published protocols were descriptive. At present, there is little agreement on the published rehabilitation guidelines after SCR, precluding specific clinical best practice suggestions. Although there was a tendency of recommending early motion in nonautograft cases, the optimal protocols based on graft healing and functional outcomes require further verification based on the clinical outcomes from high-quality studies.