This RCT compared EMG-guided early rehabilitation (low supraspinatus activity exercises starting at 1 week post-op) vs. 4 weeks of immobilization in 30 patients after arthroscopic repair of full-thickness, medium-sized rotator cuff tears, with both groups following identical rehab from week 4–12 and follow-up to 12 months.
At 4 weeks, the early rehab group had significantly less night pain (mean difference 2.56, p=.018) and activity pain (mean difference 2.73, p=.001), both exceeding the MCID. At 12-month follow-up, no significant differences were found between groups in ROM, strength, Constant-Murley Score, SF-36, or patient satisfaction.
Very small sample size (n=30, 15 per group) limits statistical power and generalizability. Study restricted to medium-sized tears only; results may not apply to small or large tears. Re-tear rates were not explicitly reported as an outcome.
For patients after arthroscopic repair of medium-sized rotator cuff tears, early EMG-guided low-load supraspinatus exercises starting at 1 week appear safe and provide meaningful short-term pain relief over immobilization. Clinicians can consider this approach when early pain control is a priority, without concern for worse long-term outcomes.
