Isolated greater tuberosity fracture: Short-term functional outcome following a specific rehabilitation program.

Background: Evaluate the functional outcome of a specific program of rehabilitation during conservative treatment of fracture of the greater tuberosity.

Methods: We retrospectively studied the records of 22 patients, with minimally displaced greater tuberosity fracture, according to inclusion criteria. All patients have received an early (one week after the injury) rehabilitation program based on physical analgesic therapy means, techniques for recovering range of motion, strengthening exercises, proprioceptive stabilization exercises and usability advices. The evaluation was done at baseline, one, two and three months of the end of physical treatment.

Results: Pain, perceived disability and range of motion were improved significantly since the end of rehabilitation. The improvement of function (Constant score) was significant at different evaluation times. The functional result seems to be poor when patients are aged and pain is severe at baseline.

Conclusion: During conservative treatment of fracture of the greater tuberosity, earlier rehabilitation allows rapid range of motion and functional recovery limiting care duration. After fracture healing, the rehabilitation program becomes similar to that advocated in rotator cuff disease. Whatever the initial treatment choice, rehabilitation must be considered at the waning of the first week.