The rehabilitation protocols provided on this platform are intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. These protocols are meant to serve as general guidelines for common procedures seen with the throwing athlete and may not be suitable for every individual’s specific condition or situation. All surgeries are different and close communication with the operating physician is ALWAYS recommended as techniques/advancements can differ greatly. The Ready to Throw platform and its affiliates do not assume any liability for injuries or damages resulting from the use of these protocols.
Optimize healing. Rebuild for success.
Shoulder Protocols
Surgery after a SLAP tear (superior labrum, posterior to anterior) can be daunting as return to sport rates are notoriously low. This detailed protocol outlines each phase of recovery, including exercises and milestones, to help ensure a safe and effective return to activity.
Posterior labral tears or near-circumferential SLAP tears require careful consideration for healing of the repaired tissues. A slow progression is preferred early with attention to ROM when appropriate.
Shoulder stabilization procedures are very intricate and generally dependent on surgical technique. Basic rehab principles will get you a long way, but meaningful communication should always be maintained with the operating physician.
While rare for the younger athlete, rotator cuff repairs do still happen in the throwing populations. This surgery is generally performed to repair the muscle-tendon interface for the supraspinatus, but can also encompass other muscle structures as well. Again, confer with the operating physician for specifics. This protocol utilizes a healthy balance of protected motion and function to ensure a safe recovery.
Elbow Protocols
The archetypal UCLR/Tommy John protocol based on current surgical techniques. Pay special attention to healing tissues. Can be used with “hybrid technique”.
The newer surgical procedure for torn UCL’s pioneered by Dr. Jeff Dugas – the repair utilizes an internal-brace to augment the original ligament. This procedure generally allows for a slightly quicker progression.
Medial epicondyle and olecranon fractures can occur in younger athletes who are skeletally immature and are usually highly correlated to unhealthy volume/intensity of throwing. We’re dealing with bone healing with these, so adequate healing time is necessary before initiating throwing. Patient education is paramount to avoid a recurrence.
Usually involved with UCLR due to the nature of the surgery, flexor/pronator repairs can often be performed in isolation when the UCL remains healthy. These are not delicate procedures and we have to be very gentle with the muscle and tendon during healing. Many often neglect the flexor mass and promote too much gripping or wrist flexion early which can be a source of immense irritability in the elbow later when throwing.
Need Additional Protocol Resources?
In need of some help with non-operative rehab protocols? Looking for some guidance or added post-op expertise/mentoring? Please don’t hesitate to reach out! Send us a message and we’ll see how we can help.