Rocking in a quadruped position could be included in physical therapy for a 40-year-old patient to increase ROM at the:

Rocking in a quadruped position could be included in physical therapy for a 40-year-old patient to increase ROM at the:

• A. Hip joint, 1 month post total hip replacement
• B. Distal radioulnar joint, 2 weeks post fracture of the distal radius
• C. Glenohumeral joint, 2 months post rotator cuff tear
• D. Hip joint, 1 week post subcapital fracture of the femoral neck

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is using a controlled weight-bearing position to restore shoulder range of motion by promoting proper scapulohumeral movement and glenohumeral joint mobility in a safe, subacute stage. Rocking in quadruped provides a low-load way to move the shoulder complex: as you rock the trunk, the scapulothoracic rhythm begins to engage and the glenohumeral joint experiences gentle, progressive motion without heavy resistance. For a 40-year-old with a rotator cuff tear repaired about two months ago, this is a suitable progression because the healing tissue can tolerate more movement, and the exercise helps restore shoulder ROM while supporting proper shoulder blade mechanics and spine mobility. In contrast, other scenarios would demand more protection. Early post-operative hip procedures carry a risk of dislocation with certain positions, so loading through the arms in a quadruped stance isn’t appropriate at that stage. A distal radius fracture with care still healing requires limiting weight through the wrist, not loading it in this way. And after a subcapital femoral neck fracture, the hip is typically protected from weight-bearing in this early period. So the quadruped rocking is best aimed at enhancing glenohumeral joint ROM in the mid-subacute shoulder rehab setting.

The main idea here is using a controlled weight-bearing position to restore shoulder range of motion by promoting proper scapulohumeral movement and glenohumeral joint mobility in a safe, subacute stage. Rocking in quadruped provides a low-load way to move the shoulder complex: as you rock the trunk, the scapulothoracic rhythm begins to engage and the glenohumeral joint experiences gentle, progressive motion without heavy resistance. For a 40-year-old with a rotator cuff tear repaired about two months ago, this is a suitable progression because the healing tissue can tolerate more movement, and the exercise helps restore shoulder ROM while supporting proper shoulder blade mechanics and spine mobility.

In contrast, other scenarios would demand more protection. Early post-operative hip procedures carry a risk of dislocation with certain positions, so loading through the arms in a quadruped stance isn’t appropriate at that stage. A distal radius fracture with care still healing requires limiting weight through the wrist, not loading it in this way. And after a subcapital femoral neck fracture, the hip is typically protected from weight-bearing in this early period. So the quadruped rocking is best aimed at enhancing glenohumeral joint ROM in the mid-subacute shoulder rehab setting.