Comparison of 1- and 3-week immobilization following arthroscopic shoulder stabilization: results of a prospective study

Key Points

1. 1-week and 3-week absolute immobilization produces equivalent outcomes for pain, ROM, functional recovery, and recurrence after arthroscopic anterior capsulolabral repair, with earlier flexion gains in the 1-week group.

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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Traumatic anterior shoulder instability is commonly treated with arthroscopic anterior capsulolabral repair (AACR) especially in young active individuals (1), but there is no clear consensus on an optimal post-operative immobilization period (2). With a paucity of high-quality research or clinical trials upon which clinicians can rely on to help guide rehabilitation decisions, significant variations in practice and timescales exists, from four to six weeks to controlled motion within days (3,4). Clinicians remain cautious as to whether shorter immobilization compromises repair integrity or influences pain, ROM, functional recovery, or recurrence.

This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of 1-week vs 3-week absolute immobilization following AACR, hypothesizing that both durations would produce similar pain, ROM, function, and recurrence outcomes.

Traumatic anterior shoulder instability is commonly treated with arthroscopic anterior capsulolabral repair, especially in young active individuals.

This study suggests that Surgeons and physiotherapists can tailor immobilization duration to individual factors, such as surgical details, pain tolerance, compliance, and sporting demands, rather than rigidly following prolonged protocols.

METHODS

• This prospective single-blinded comparative study included 50 professional or recreational athletes aged 18–45 undergoing AACR (first time repair) by experienced (15+ years) surgeons.

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