After rotator cuff surgery, handgrip exercise helps restore shoulder strength: study

A new study has confirmed that handgrip exercises after rotator cuff surgery effectively restore shoulder strength and function.

Konkuk University Medical Center said Tuesday that a research team led by Professor Chung Seok-won of the hospital’s Sports Medicine Center found that performing handgrip exercises after rotator cuff repair significantly improved shoulder rotator cuff strength and scapular peripheral strength at six months postoperatively.

The study was recently honored with the Best Oral Presentation Award by the Korean Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine.

To determine the effect of handgrip exercise on shoulder strength and functional recovery, the researchers compared a group of 41 patients who consistently performed handgrip exercise three months before starting strength training after rotator cuff repair with a group of 43 patients who did not perform such training.

The results showed that the group that consistently practiced handgrip exercise at six months postoperatively had significantly better recovery of shoulder strength and function than the group that did not practice it.

"The study results showed that handgrip exercise early after rotator cuff surgery allowed for rapid recovery without damaging the rotator cuff suture site," Professor Chung said. "This is the first prospective comparative study to analyze the results of functional recovery through handgrip exercise after rotator cuff repair, and it is significant in that it suggests a method for rapid recovery and return to sports activities after rotator cuff surgery."