Phase I (1-2 weeks)
- passive of active-assisted ROM exercises in pain-free ranges
- improve or maintain motion
- provide gentle stress for healing collagen tissue
- optimize subacromial gliding mechanism
- phase I ROM -> forward elevation and external rotation, hold for 10 seconds, 10 times each, 2 times daily. both exercises should be pain free
- phase II ROM -> extension, internal rotation, cross-body adduction, hold for 10 seconds, 10 times each, 2-4 times daily
- phase I strengthening exercises (using elastic bands / free weights) -> external rotation, internal rotation, flexion, extension
Phase II (2-4 weeks)
- pain and inflammation has resolved, ROM & strength improved
- sleeper stretch -> hold for 10 seconds, 5 times
- wall stretch & stretch behind the head
- phase II strengthening (after reaching level 3 resistance in all phase I strengthening exercises) -> abduction and forward elevation to 45 degrees & external rotation at 45 degrees
- total arm strengthening with biceps and triceps exercises
- scapular strengthening exercises -> horizontal abduction with scapular retraction, external rotation with elastic resistance
Phase III
- ROM should be full and pain-free
- athletes will progress to higher-level exercises involving functional combination movements in more provocative positions
Phase IV
Athletes should continue with the rotator cuff, deltoid, and scapular exercises with a bias toward sport-specific positions