Shoulder Disorders

Rotator Cuff, Labral injuries, Ligament, and Tendon

Recommendations for treatment and recovery time are based upon averages and the most straight-forward presentation for acute injuries. LEOs with concomitant injuries or complications generally require additional treatment and recovery time.

Injuries Not Requiring Surgical Repair
LEOs with non-specific shoulder strains that have been evaluated and determined to not require surgical repair and who have demonstrated a successful return to full-training activities, can generally return to unrestricted duty in less than 8 weeks.

Injuries Requiring Surgical Repair NOT Including Biceps or Labrum
After surgical repair, LEOs who have demonstrated a successful return to full-training activities should be able to return to unrestricted duty in 4-6 months. Rotator cuff injuries with associated labral injury and injuries to the dominant extremity may require a longer rehabilitation course. Partial tears and/or isolated injuries to the non-dominant extremity may be able to return sooner. LEOs without surgical reconstruction of the rotator cuff, where surgery is indicated, are likely to need restrictions.

Labral Tears
An acute superior labral anterior posterior tear (SLAP) lesion can cause pain, loss of motion, and weak-ness of the affected shoulder. Type I and selected type II labral tears, absent other intra-articular path-ologies, are routinely treated conservatively without surgery. LEOs who have demonstrated a successful return to full-training activities should be able to return to unrestricted duty in within 12 weeks.

Type II-X Labral Tears: LEOs who have demonstrated a successful return to full-training activities should be able to return to unrestricted duty 4-6 months after surgical repair. LEOs without surgical reconstruction of large labral tears who have persistent instability and restricted range of motion are likely to need restrictions.

Biceps Tendon Injuries
LEOs with a partial biceps tear who have demonstrated a successful return to full-training activities should be able to return to unrestricted duty within 8 weeks. After surgical repair, LEOs who have demonstrated a successful return to full-training activities should be able to return to unrestricted duty in 4-6 months.

Deltoid Tendon Injuries
An uncomplicated deltoid muscle strain or partial tear is usually self-limiting and generally does not require surgical repair. LEOs who have demonstrated a successful return to full-training activities should be able to return to unrestricted duty within 4 weeks. Severe strains/large tears may require 2-3 months to successfully return to full-training activities.1,2