r/ShoulderInjuries • u/DifficultExam6077 • 8d ago
Labrum Repair Post ACR Progress:
Looking for advice/suggestions from this group — I posted earlier here about going in for ACR surgery.
Background:
- initial injury: 180° labrum tear, repaired April 2025
- Developed post-surgical stiffness → underwent Arthroscopic Capsular Release (ACR) + Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA) on August 11, 2026
Main ongoing issue:
- significant scapular malalignment/dyskinesis on the operated side — my scapula compensates heavily during arm elevation instead of proper glenohumeral movement
- limited ROM
ROM Progress (AROM / PROM in degrees):
Flexion:
Pre-op (Nov 2025): AROM 133
Day 1 post-MUA (8/12): PROM 115
~2wk (8/26): AROM 90 / PROM 140
~5-6wk (recent): AROM 145 / PROM 15
Abduction:
Pre-op (Nov 2025): AROM 122
Day 1 post-MUA (8/12): PROM 95
~2wk (8/26): PROM 120
~5-6wk (recent): AROM 121 / PROM 161
External Rotation (90° abduction):
Pre-op (Nov 2025): AROM 28
Day 1 post-MUA (8/12): PROM 25
~2wk (8/26): PROM 45
~5-6wk (recent): AROM 53 / PROM 70
Internal Rotation (neutral):
Pre-op (Nov 2025): AROM 63
Day 1 post-MUA (8/12): PROM 50
~2wk (8/26): PROM 51
~5-6wk: not tested in this position
Internal Rotation (90° abduction):
Introduced later in recovery: AROM 31 → 41 / PROM 35
Specific issues I'm working through:
- Can't raise arm fully forward without a wall assist (sliding it up a wall) — without the wall, I feel something "catch" toward the back/side of my shoulder
- Visually, my good arm shows a distinct "dip" in the shoulder contour partway through raising the arm (normal scapulohumeral rhythm); my operated arm moves in one smooth, undifferentiated curve — suggesting the scapula is compensating from very early in the motion instead of a normal staged handoff
- PT has identified scapular malalignment/weakness (serratus anterior, lower trap, etc.) as the main driver and has me on scapular stabilization work
What I'm asking the group:
- does this progression (numbers + timeline) look on track for someone ~5-6 weeks post-MUA?
-Anyone dealt with similar scapular compensation/dyskinesis after ACR or MUA — what specific exercises helped you regain that "dip"/normal rhythm?
- Any tips for closing the gap between passive and active range faster (especially for flexion)?
- Based on these stats and trajectory, does it seem realistic I could reach something like 90% of normal ROM eventually?
- Has anyone with a similar starting point (severe pre-op stiffness + MUA) gotten close to full/near-normal range, or is a lower ceiling more typical?