A critical appraisal of "Rehabilitation following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: a prospective randomized trial of immobilization compared with early motion"

This critical appraisal addresses the rationale, methods, results, and discussion of a study that was performed to test the clinical significance of postoperative protocols for rotator cuff repair on tendon healing. The two variables of the study were shoulder immobilization and early motion. One subject group began active motion activities 10 to 14 days after surgery while the other group was immobilized for 6 weeks before initiation of physical rehabilitation. The investigators had a strong introduction and results section, but minor discrepancies were found in relatively strong methods and discussion sections. The findings of the study explained that a long-term clinically significant difference was not found between immobilization and early motion on tendon healing. Exact rehabilitation protocols following rotator cuff repairs need further investigation to establish the most beneficial and safe outcomes.