High Return-to-Yoga Rate Following Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

Tammy R. Hoffman; Leonard Stokes; Yousy Martinez Sauvanell; Samer Al-Humadi; Kevin Kohut; Patrick J. Denard

Abstract

Background: Returning to sport is an essential consideration for orthopedic surgery. Currently, there is a lack of knowledge regarding returning to yoga following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR).Hypothesis/Purpose: To examine patients’ ability to return to yoga after ARCR. Secondary outcome measures were analyzed including range of motion (ROM) and patient-reported outcomes (PROs). The hypothesis was that return to yoga would be high following ARCR.Methods: A retrospective observational study of patients who underwent ARCR between 2014 and 2022 included those who reported yoga as their primary sport with a minimum follow-up period of 2 years. Data collected included yoga participation, return time, satisfaction, ROM (forward flexion (FF), external rotation (ER), as well as hand behind the back. Additionally, PROs (Visual Analogue Scale for pain (VAS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (ASES), and Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV)), were compared by return-to-yoga status.Results: Thirty patients (mean age: 62±9.5 years) met the study criteria and were evaluated at an average of 49±23 months postoperatively. Return-to-yoga rate was 26% (8/30) at 6 months, 93% (28/30) at 12 months, and 100% (30/30) at 2 years postoperatively. Compared to baseline, 43% (13/30) of patients noted that their ability to engage in yoga following ARCR improved, 40% (12/30) reported that this ability was unchanged, and 17% (5/30) reported decreased ability. All patients reported significant improvements in VAS, SSV, and ASES (p<0.01), and no ROM parameter demonstrated statistically significant improvement (p<0.01).Conclusion: Patients who engage in yoga have over a 90% return to sport 1 year following ARCR. However, return to yoga may take approximately a year following ARCR, as only 26% of patients had returned to yoga by 6 months postoperative.What this study adds: This study demonstrates that patients who participate in yoga can expect high rates of return to yoga following ARCR, with most patients resuming within 1 year after surgery.How this study might affect research, practice or policy: These findings may help surgeons provide more accurate postoperative counseling and recovery expectations for yoga practitioners undergoing ARCR, while also informing future research on sport-specific rehabilitation protocols.Study Design: Retrospective case seriesLevel of evidence: IVKeywords: Sport-specific outcomes; Return to sport; Shoulder rehabilitation; Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR); Yogahttps://doi.org/10.70885/hmsj.2026.05.003

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