After a rotator cuff repair, which muscle needs strengthening?

After a rotator cuff repair, which muscle needs strengthening?

• A. Supraspinatus
• B. Biceps
• C. Teres Minor
• D. Triceps

Answer: (A)

The muscle most important to strengthen after a rotator cuff repair is the supraspinatus because it is the primary driver of initial shoulder elevation and a key stabilizer of the humeral head during lifting. Strengthening it helps restore smooth, controlled abduction and protects the repaired tendon from excessive superior migration as the arm lifts. Early rehab targets reactivating and strengthening this muscle with low-load, controlled movements, gradually progressing as healing allows. The other muscles listed are less central to the initial recovery goals: teres minor aids external rotation and is typically addressed later, while the biceps and triceps are not primary rotator cuff stabilizers and aren’t the main focus of early cuff repair strengthening.

The muscle most important to strengthen after a rotator cuff repair is the supraspinatus because it is the primary driver of initial shoulder elevation and a key stabilizer of the humeral head during lifting. Strengthening it helps restore smooth, controlled abduction and protects the repaired tendon from excessive superior migration as the arm lifts. Early rehab targets reactivating and strengthening this muscle with low-load, controlled movements, gradually progressing as healing allows. The other muscles listed are less central to the initial recovery goals: teres minor aids external rotation and is typically addressed later, while the biceps and triceps are not primary rotator cuff stabilizers and aren’t the main focus of early cuff repair strengthening.