Table 1.

Postoperative Rehabilitation Program

Period	Aim	Activity
First stage: from immediately postoperatively until fourth week	Prevent articular stiffness	Passive exercises in abduction, front flexion, and ER (passive ER limited to 0° if subscapular tendon was repaired)
Second stage: from fourth week until 12th week (third month)	Achieve progressive recovery of passive ROM without scapular compensation	Assisted or active exercises at a minimum load; removal of sling
Third stage: beginning around third month (10th-12th week) and lasting until 12th week or beyond	Recover strength and physiological scapular-humeral rhythm	Toning exercises focusing on recovery of power and strength of rotator cuff tendons

ER, external rotation; ROM, range of motion.