National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

What is a common early post-operative therapy intervention for a patient after a SLAP repair?

1. Applying cold therapy to reduce swelling

2. Initiating aggressive shoulder flexion exercises

3. Encouraging use of the involved arm for daily activities

4. Careful range of motion exercises for internal rotation

The correct answer is: Careful range of motion exercises for internal rotation

In the context of a SLAP (Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior) repair, the early postoperative phase focuses on protecting the surgical site while promoting healing and restoring range of motion. Careful range of motion exercises for internal rotation is a common early intervention because maintaining joint mobility is crucial to prevent stiffness and facilitate recovery without stressing the repaired tissues. Initiating these gentle internal rotation exercises helps to gradually restore movement and is important for the patient's overall rehabilitation program. It's typically done within pain limits and often incorporates precautions to safeguard the integrity of the repair while ensuring that the patient does not experience excessive strain on the shoulder. While applying cold therapy to reduce swelling is indeed a common practice in postoperative care, it does not directly contribute to the recovery of range of motion, which is the primary goal in the early stages post-surgery. Aggressive shoulder flexion exercises would generally be contraindicated early in the rehabilitation process due to the risk of overstressing the surgical repair. Encouraging the use of the involved arm for daily activities also poses a risk of jeopardizing the recovery process, as it may lead to overuse of the arm before adequate healing occurs. Thus, careful range of motion exercises specifically targeted towards internal rotation is the most appropriate and beneficial early intervention