[Rehabilitation after shoulder rotator cuff surgery: in-patient or day-hospitalization (about 76 cases)].

Objective: To define criteria of orientation in day-hospitalized or in-patient after shoulder rotator cuff surgery.

Method: Population of 71 patients (53.2 years +/-7) (76 shoulders) operated for rotator cuff tear by the same surgeon, then treated by physical therapy either in day-hospitalization or in-patient. Weekly, evaluation until the second month after surgery by setting as criteria: pain, passive and active range of motion and complications.

Results: Fifty-three shoulders benefited from rehabilitation therapy in hospitalization and 23 in day-hospitalization. There is no significant difference for criteria studied between the 2 populations except for pains at the fifteenth day after surgery. Pain and articular steepness seem more frequent if the surgery is complex.

Discussion: Day-hospitalization and in-patient give equivalent results, which explain themselves by the possibility of identical physical medicine and rehabilitation performances. The knowledge of the social context is important to choose the most adapted rehabilitation type because patients can benefit from assistance for the acts of the daily life and the domestic tasks. In-patient allows more comfort but implies a familial break.