Here is the complete physiotherapy treatment plan for this patient - Badar Bakht, 69F, Right shoulder: near-complete supraspinatus tear + subcoracoid bursitis + secondary OA + cervical radiculopathy, full ROM, VAS 5/10.
Full Physiotherapy Treatment Plan
Goals
- Pain reduction
- Maintain full ROM (she already has it - protect it)
- Strengthen intact cuff muscles (infraspinatus, subscapularis, teres minor) + deltoid to compensate for torn supraspinatus
- Stabilize scapula
- Improve function for daily activities
- Prevent tear progression
Phase 1 - Acute Pain Control (Week 1-2)
Electrotherapy / Physical Modalities
| Modality | Dose | Purpose |
|---|
| TENS | 80-100 Hz, 20-30 min/session, daily | Pain relief (gate control) |
| Therapeutic Ultrasound | 1 MHz, 0.8-1.5 W/cm², pulsed 1:4, 5-7 min over bursa + cuff | Reduce bursitis inflammation, promote tissue healing |
| Hot pack / Moist heat | 15-20 min before exercise | Muscle relaxation, increase tissue extensibility |
| Ice/Cold pack | 10-15 min after exercise | Reduce post-exercise soreness |
| IFT (Interferential Therapy) | 4000 Hz carrier, 80-120 Hz beat, 15-20 min | Deep pain relief, reduce inflammation in joint |
Exercises - Phase 1
1. Codman (Pendulum) Exercises
- Patient leans forward, arm hangs freely
- Small circles clockwise + anticlockwise, 10 reps each
- Forward-backward swing + side-to-side swing, 10 reps
- Do 2-3x per day
- Purpose: gentle distraction, synovial fluid circulation, maintains ROM without active cuff loading
2. Cervical exercises (given she also has cervical radiculopathy)
- Gentle cervical ROM: flexion, extension, lateral rotation
- Chin tucks (deep neck flexor strengthening): 10 x 10 sec holds
- Cervical traction (manual or mechanical if available): 5-7 min
3. Hand, wrist, elbow AROM
- Full active motion to prevent disuse stiffness
Activity Modification
- Avoid overhead reaching, lifting, behind-back movements
- Wear shoulder support (as prescribed) during the day
- Sleep on unaffected side with pillow supporting right arm
Phase 2 - ROM Restoration + Gentle Strengthening (Week 3-6)
Criteria to enter: VAS reduced to ≤3/10, pain controlled at rest
Continue Modalities
- Continue ultrasound + TENS as needed
- Add laser therapy if available (830 nm, 3-5 J/cm², over cuff and bursa) for additional anti-inflammatory effect
Stretching Exercises
1. Cross-body (horizontal adduction) stretch
- Pull right arm across chest with left hand
- Hold 12-30 seconds, 5 reps, 2x/day
- Stretches posterior capsule
2. Doorway stretch (anterior capsule)
- Place forearm on door frame at 90 degrees
- Lean body gently forward
- Hold 20-30 sec, 5 reps
3. Sleeper stretch (posterior capsule)
- Lie on right side, right arm at 90 degrees forward flexion
- Use left hand to gently push right forearm toward bed into internal rotation
- Hold 20-30 sec, 5 reps
4. Towel-assisted internal rotation stretch
- Towel behind back, lower hand pulls upper (right) arm into internal rotation
- Hold 20 sec, 5 reps
Active-Assisted ROM (AAROM)
1. Pulley exercises
- Overhead pulley: use left arm to assist right arm in forward elevation
- 3 sets x 10 reps, 1-2x/day
2. Wand/stick exercises
- Supine forward flexion with stick (left arm drives)
- External rotation with stick in supine (elbows at sides)
- 3 x 10 reps
3. Wall climbing
- Face wall, fingers "walk" up as high as comfortable
- 3 x 10 reps
Scapular Stabilization (IMPORTANT - often neglected)
1. Scapular shrugs: 10 reps up and hold 5 sec
2. Scapular retraction: squeeze shoulder blades together, 10 x 5 sec hold
3. Scapular depression: push shoulder down away from ear, 10 x 5 sec hold
4. Scapular protraction + retraction: full range, 15 reps
These are done with the arm at the side, low cuff loading.
Isometric Strengthening (Phase 2, weeks 4-6)
Begin pain-free isometrics with arm at side, elbow at 90 degrees:
- Isometric external rotation: push hand outward against wall/doorframe
- Isometric internal rotation: push hand inward against wall
- Isometric abduction: push arm outward against wall
- Isometric flexion: push arm forward against wall
- 10 reps x 10 sec holds each, 1x/day
Phase 3 - Strengthening (Week 6-12)
Criteria to enter: pain-free AROM through full range, no compensatory shrugging
Isotonic / Resistance Band Exercises
Use Thera-band (start with yellow/lightest resistance):
1. Side-lying external rotation (infraspinatus + teres minor - MOST IMPORTANT)
- Lie on left side, right elbow bent 90 degrees at side
- Rotate forearm upward against gravity / band
- 3 x 15 reps, slow controlled movement
- This strengthens the intact posterior cuff to compensate for supraspinatus
2. Prone horizontal abduction (middle and lower trapezius, posterior deltoid)
- Lie prone on plinth, arm hanging down
- Lift arm to shoulder height with thumb pointing up
- 3 x 12-15 reps
3. Prone row (rhomboids, middle trapezius)
- Prone, elbow bent, pull hand toward armpit
- 3 x 12 reps
4. Resisted internal rotation with band
- Stand, band fixed to wall, pull inward
- 3 x 15 reps (strengthens subscapularis)
5. Resisted external rotation with band
- Elbow at side, rotate outward against band
- 3 x 15 reps
6. Resisted shoulder flexion with band (below 90 degrees only initially)
- Forward raise to 90 degrees against band
- Do NOT go above 90 degrees until pain-free
- 3 x 15 reps
7. Deltoid strengthening
- Side lateral raise, start with 0.5-1 kg dumbbell
- Only to shoulder height (90 degrees)
- 3 x 12 reps
- Critical because deltoid compensates for torn supraspinatus in this patient
8. Biceps curl (supports anterior shoulder stability)
- 3 x 12-15 reps with light weight
Manual Therapy (by physiotherapist)
- Glenohumeral joint mobilization (Maitland Grade I-II initially, progress to III-IV): anterior-posterior glides, inferior glides to maintain joint mobility
- Soft tissue massage: cervicothoracic junction, upper trapezius, pectoralis minor (addresses the myofascial component of her "knots")
- Trigger point release on pectoralis minor and anterior deltoid (the "knots" on medial/chest side)
- Thoracic spine manipulation: improves scapulothoracic rhythm
Phase 4 - Functional Training (Week 12-16+)
Criteria: Full pain-free AROM, strength 4+/5 in all planes
1. Closed chain exercises
- Wall press-ups (hands on wall, lean and push)
- 3 x 15 reps
2. Progressive overhead activities
- Gradually introduce reaching overhead in functional context (shelf placement, hair combing)
3. PNF patterns (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation)
- D1 and D2 flexion/extension patterns
- Improves neuromuscular coordination
4. Functional ADL training
- Dressing, grooming, cooking activities
- Energy conservation techniques for this 69-year-old
5. Postural correction
- Address forward head posture (worsens cervical radiculopathy)
- Thoracic extension exercises
- Cervical retraction against resistance
Home Exercise Program (Daily)
| Time | Exercise | Sets x Reps |
|---|
| Morning | Pendulum exercises | 2 x 10 each direction |
| Morning | Cervical chin tucks | 3 x 10 sec |
| Morning | Scapular retractions | 3 x 15 |
| Afternoon | Cross-body stretch | 5 x 30 sec |
| Afternoon | External rotation with band | 3 x 15 |
| Evening | Hot pack + gentle ROM | 15 min |
| After any exercise | Ice pack | 10-15 min |
Important Precautions for This Patient
- No overhead lifting until Phase 4 - protects the near-complete supraspinatus tear from progressing to complete rupture
- No behind-the-back movements with force
- No push-up position (full open chain push)
- Monitor BP - she has HTN; avoid Valsalva during exercises (breathe continuously)
- Hypothyroidism - these patients have slower tendon healing and increased risk of tendinopathy; progress slowly
- Knee replacement (right) - avoid exercises requiring stance on right leg; use chair/plinth support
Frequency & Duration
| Phase | Duration | Sessions/week |
|---|
| Phase 1 | 2 weeks | 5 days/week |
| Phase 2 | 4 weeks | 3-4 days/week |
| Phase 3 | 6 weeks | 3 days/week |
| Phase 4 | 4+ weeks | 2-3 days/week |
| Total | ~16 weeks | - |
Expected Outcome
Conservative physiotherapy for chronic near-complete rotator cuff tears in elderly patients (>65 years) shows successful outcomes in approximately 60% of cases, with sustained improvement at 10-year follow-up. The primary goal is deltoid and intact cuff recruitment to compensate for the torn supraspinatus - not repair of the tear itself. If no improvement after 3-6 months of diligent physiotherapy, referral back to orthopedic surgeon for consideration of surgical options.
Sources: SICOT-J 2023 Rehabilitation Trends; Physiopedia Rotator Cuff Tears; Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics 15th Ed 2026