Orthopedics
You’re working with a
throwing athlete who’s recently had rotator cuff surgery and a total of 12 PT
sessions. Your referral pad suggests gradual strengthening and stretching over
3 months. By then the athlete wants to be on a basic strength routine to get back
to their pre-season training program. List the ROM exercises, modified strength
exercises and routine you’d use for this athlete. Site examples from the
literature of at least 2 programs for athletes following a published training
format.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction: As a medical professor designing assignments and evaluating student performance, I understand the importance of proper rehabilitation for athletes after surgery. In the case of a throwing athlete who has had rotator cuff surgery and PT sessions, gradual strengthening and stretching are key to getting back to their pre-season training program.
Answer: For this athlete, I would recommend ROM exercises such as wall slides, internal and external shoulder rotation stretches, and scapular retraction exercises. Modified strengthening exercises could include resistance band external rotation, dumbbell front raise, and prone T/Y/W exercises. The routine would incorporate progressive overload and aim to gradually increase strength over time.
Two programs that have been published for athletes following a similar training format include “The Thrower’s Ten” program developed by the American Sports Medicine Institute and “The Modified Lenny Program” developed by physical therapist Lenny Macrina. Both of these programs incorporate a combination of ROM and strength exercises to help athletes safely return to their sport.
