Reverse Total Shoulder with Latissimus Tendon Transfer

The intent of this protocol is to provide the physical therapist with a guideline/treatment protocol for the postoperative rehabilitation management for a patient who has undergone a Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty (rTSA) with lastissimus dorsi tendon transfer (LDTT). It is by no means intended to be a substitute for a physical therapist’s clinical decision making and should be based on the individual patient’s physical exam/findings, progress, and/or the presence of postoperative complications. If the physical therapist requires assistance in the progression of a postoperative patient who has had rTSA and LDTT the therapist should consult with the referring surgeon.

The scapular plane is defined as the shoulder positioned in 30 degrees of abduction and forward flexion with neutral rotation. ROM performed in the scapular plane should enable appropriate shoulder joint alignment.

Shoulder Dislocation Precautions:

• No shoulder motion behind the patient’s back. (NO combined shoulder adduction, internal rotation, and extension.)
• No glenohumeral (GH) extension beyond neutral.

*Precautions should be implemented for 12 weeks postoperatively unless the surgeon specifically advises patient or therapist differently.

Surgical Considerations:

• The surgical approach needs to be considered when devising the postoperative plan of care.
• Traditionally rTSA with LDTT procedure is performed via a typical lengthened deltopectoral approach, which minimizes surgical trauma to the anterior deltoid andexposes the latissimus dorsi tendon. The latissimus dorsi tendon is identified, after releasing the pectoralis major tendon while protecting the radial and axillary nerve. The latissimus dorsi is then mobilized and pulled around the posterior aspect of the humeral head and attached to the greater tuberosity region of the humerus.
• The start of this protocol is typically delayed 2-4 weeks following rTSA with LDTT in a revision situation and/or in the presence of poor bone stock based on the surgeon's assessment of the integrity of the surgical repair.

*Progression of phases is based on clinical criteria and timeframes as appropriate.

Phase I – Immediate Post Surgical Phase/Joint Protection (Day 1-6 weeks):

Phase I ADL’s

• Avoid all activities using operative upper extremity for first 4 weeks except for those done with the physical therapist.

Goals:

• Patient and family independent with:
  1. Joint protection
  2. Assisting with putting on/taking off gunslinger and clothing
  3. Cryotherapy
• Promote healing of soft tissue / maintain the integrity of the replaced joint and transferred tendon.
• Restore active range of motion (AROM) of elbow/wrist/hand.
• Independent with bed mobility, transfers and ambulation or as per pre-admission status. (NWB for this extremity)

Phase I Precautions:

• Gunslinger brace is worn for 6 weeks postoperatively. The use of the gunslinger positions the humeral head in neutral to 15 degrees of external rotation in the plane of the scapula to keep the transferred tendon in a shortened protected position to enhance healing.
• While lying supine, the distal humerus/ elbow should be supported by a pillow or towel roll to avoid shoulder extension. Patients should be advised to “always be able to visualize their elbow while lying supine.”
• No shoulder AROM or passive range of motion (PROM).
• No lifting of objects with operative extremity.
• No supporting of body weight with involved extremity.
• Keep incision clean and dry (no soaking/wetting for 2 weeks); No whirlpool, Jacuzzi, ocean/lake wading for 4 weeks.

Acute Care Therapy (Day 1 to 4):

• Active/Active Assisted ROM (A/AAROM) of cervical spine, elbow, wrist, and hand.
• Begin periscapular sub-maximal pain-free isometrics in the scapular plane.
• Continuous cryotherapy for first 72 hours postoperatively, then frequent application (4-5 times a day for about 20 minutes).
• Ensure patient is independent in bed mobility, transfers and ambulation
• Ensure proper gunslinger fit/alignment/ use.
• Instruct patient in proper positioning, posture, initial home exercise program.
• Provide patient/ family with written home program including exercises and protocol information.

Day 5 to 28:

• Patient continues all exercises as above at home.
• Frequent (4-5 times a day for about 20 minutes) cryotherapy.

4 Weeks to 6 Weeks:

• Patient typically begins formal outpatient physical therapy.
• Progress exercises listed above.
• Begin sub-maximal pain-free deltoid isometrics in scapular plane (avoid shoulder extension when isolating posterior deltoid.)
• Begin shoulder PROM:
  1. Forward flexion and elevation in the scapular plane in supine to 120 degrees as tolerated.
  2. NO IR PROM at this time.
  3. ER in scapular plane to tolerance, respecting soft tissue constraints (typically 30-40 degrees of ER).
• Continue frequent cryotherapy.

Criteria for progression to the next phase (Phase II):

• Tolerates shoulder PROM and deltoid isometrics; and AROM program for elbow, wrist, and hand.
• Patient demonstrates the ability to isometrically activate all components of the deltoid and periscapular musculature in the scapular plane.

Phase II - Active Range of Motion/Early Strengthening Phase (Week 6-12):

Phase II ADL’s

• Independent dressing and showering below 90deg shoulder elevation and with upper extremity in front of patient.
• Use caution to prevent jerking motions when don/doffing clothing.
• Use of operative arm to eat/drink and perform light activities.
• No lifting of objects more than 2-3 pounds with operative upper extremity.

Goals:

• Continue progression of PROM (full PROM is not expected).
• Gradually restore AROM.
• Facilitate latissimus dorsi to function as a humeral head stabilizer and external rotator.
• Control pain and inflammation.
• Allow continued healing of soft tissue / do not overstress healing tissue.
• Re-establish dynamic shoulder and scapular stability.

Precautions:

• Patient progresses out of gunslinger into and ER sling at post-op week # 6. Goal is to be weaned out of sling by post-op week # 8 if adequate shoulder motor control (i.e. negative ER lag sign and the ability to actively elevate shoulder at least 50 degrees without pain.)
• No forced shoulder ROM
• Restrict lifting of objects to no heavier than a coffee cup.
• No supporting of body weight by involved upper extremity.

Week 6 to Week 8:

• • Continue with PROM program.
• At 6 weeks post op start PROM IR to tolerance (not to exceed 30 degrees) in the scapular plane.
• Begin Active assisted range of motion (AAROM) and AROM (Begin in supine and sidelying then progress to antigravity positions as appropriate)
  1. Forward Flexion (lawn chair progression) *
  2. Forward elevation *
  3. External Rotation *
  4. Internal Rotation

  *Use of a biofeedback is helpful for visual and auditory feedback to reeducate the Latissimus muscle to function as an external rotator. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is useful to assist in muscular recruitment as well.

• Initiate gentle scapulothoracic rhythmic stabilization and alternating isometrics in supine as appropriate. Begin gentle periscapular and deltoid sub-maximal pain free isotonic strengthening exercises, typically toward the end of the 8th week.
  1. Progress strengthening of elbow, wrist, and hand.
  2. Gentle glenohumeral and scapulothoracic joint mobilizations as indicated (Grade I and II).
  3. Continue use of cryotherapy as needed.
  4. Patient may begin to use hand of operative extremity for feeding and light activities of daily living including dressing, washing.

Week 9 to Week 12:

• Continue with above exercises and functional activity progression.
• Begin AROM supine forward flexion and elevation in the plane of the scapula with light weights (1-3lbs. or .5-1.4 kg) at varying degrees of trunk elevation as appropriate. (i.e. supine lawn chair progression with progression to sitting/standing).
• Progress to gentle glenohumeral IR and ER isometric and isotonic strengthening exercises in sidelying position with light weight (1-3lbs or .5-1.4kg) and/or with light resistance resistive bands or sport cords.

Criteria for progression to the next phase (Phase III):

• Improving function of shoulder.
• Patient demonstrates the ability to isotonically activate all components of the deltoid and periscapular musculature and is gaining strength.

Phase III – Moderate strengthening (Week 12 +)

• Phase III ADL’s
• Independent with all ADL’s including dressing, showering, eating.
• Return to light to moderate activities below shoulder height as tolerated.
• No lifting of objects with more than 5 pounds with operative extremity.

Goals:

• Enhance functional use of operative extremity and advance functional activities.
• Enhance shoulder mechanics, muscular strength and endurance.

Precautions:

• No lifting of objects heavier than 2.7 kg (6 lbs) with the operative upper extremity below chest height
• No sudden lifting or pushing activities.

Week 12 to Week 16:

• Continue with the previous program as indicated.
• Progress to gentle resisted flexion, elevation in standing as appropriate.

Phase IV – Continued Home Program (Typically 4 + months postop):

Phase IV ADL’s

• No lifting of objects more than five pounds with operative extremity and 10 pounds with both extremities.
• Progression of light to moderate activities with operative upper extremity within available AROM and with upper extremity in front of body.

Typically, the patient is on a home exercise program at this stage to be performed 3-4 times per week with the focus on:

• Continued strength gains
• Continued progression toward a return to functional and recreational activities within limits as identified by progress made during rehabilitation and outlined by surgeon and physical therapist.

Criteria for discharge from skilled therapy:

• Patient can maintain pain free shoulder AROM demonstrating proper shoulder mechanics. (Typically, 90 – 120 degrees of elevation with functional ER of up to 10-15 degrees.)
• Typically, able to complete light household and work activities.

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