Comparison of 1- and 3-Week Immobilization Following Arthroscopic Shoulder Stabilization: Results of a Prospective Study

Purpose: We investigated the effects of 1- and 3-week of absolute immobilization duration on pain, range of motion (ROM), shoulder function, and recurrence rate on shoulder arthroscopic anterior capsulolabral repair (AACR) patients. Method: Fifty shoulder AACR patients’ pain intensity, shoulder ROM, and function were evaluated 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery (1-week group: 26; 3-week group: 24 patients). Function was assessed with American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score at postoperative 12 weeks and final follow-up (average of postoperative 30 months). Whether there was a re-dislocation after surgery was also questioned at final follow-up. Results: Similar ROM were observed on both groups at the postoperative 4, 8, and 12 weeks ( p > 0.05). Pain intensities at rest ( p = 0.40), night ( p = 0.22), and during the activity ( p = 0.49) were also similar on both groups. Also, no difference was observed for function between the two groups ( p = 0.99). Only one re-dislocation was in the 3-week immobilization group. Conclusion: Both 1- and 3-week of absolute immobilization demonstrated similar results in terms of shoulder ROM, pain, function, and recurrence rate after the shoulder AACR. Furthermore, earlier mobilization led to higher shoulder flexion at 4 weeks postoperatively. Either of the rehabilitation approaches can be adopted based on the patient's situation.