Shoulder Surgery Exercise Guide - OrthoInfo - AAOS (2024)

FAQs

How much PT is needed after shoulder surgery? ›

So, how long is physical therapy for rotator cuff injury? Physical therapy will take at least six months to fully restore strength and range of motion. It's essential to do the exercises prescribed by your physical therapist as well as any additional recommended exercises to regain mobility and function.

The first exercise to avoid after rotator cuff repair is any exercise that requires you to make overhead motions of the arm. Avoid forward raises and lateral raises, as these motions place excessive stress on the shoulder joint and can disrupt the healing of the repaired tissue.

Passive movement — About seven to 10 days after your surgery, you should have your first physical therapy session. Part of your session will involve your physical therapist checking to see how your healing is progressing. They may also start helping you through some passive movements.

Individuals with minor damage can expect to achieve full function and range of motion within 4 months. People with more significant injuries might need as much as 6 months to reach the same benchmark. In extreme cases, the timeline can extend to 6-12 months.

Avoiding physical therapy after rotator cuff surgery can put you at higher risk of developing complications like: Joint stiffness — Scar tissue typically forms as the rotator cuff heals after surgery. This can lead to an increase in post-surgical stiffness.

Healing from shoulder surgery generally requires on average six months, including a period of mandatory rest and immobility before active rehabilitation to restore range of motion and function.

Do not put weight through your arm or lift anything for six weeks. This means taking extra care not to use your arm to support you getting up from a chair. Do not try to reach above or behind you. It is important to keep your arm (mainly your upper arm) close to your side at all times post op.

You should not resume weight lifting until cleared by your doctor to do so. For rotator cuff repair patients this is often 4-6 months after surgery. Second, you should ask you doctor if you have any restrictions or recommended limitations.

Can I let my arm hang after shoulder surgery? ›

You can also squeeze your shoulder blades together 3 to 4 times during the day to exercise your back. Each time, do this 10 to 15 times. When the surgeon tells you to, begin taking your arm out of the sling and let it hang loosely by your side. Do this for longer periods each day.

First 48 hours: This is typically the most painful period as the anaesthesia wears off and the surgical trauma settles in. First Week: Pain starts to decrease but is still present, especially when moving the shoulder or when not using pain medications. 2-6 Weeks: Gradual reduction in pain levels.

The most common causes of pain after rotator cuff surgery are (1) that the shoulder is still recovering from the surgery itself and (2) the shoulder has gotten stiff due to lack of movement.

In recent years, Duke shoulder specialists have begun offering a newer technique, called superior capsule reconstruction, to repair severe rotator cuff tears. In this approach, the surgeon inserts a human tissue graft, attaching one end to your upper arm bone and the other end to your shoulder socket.

Recovery from this procedure typically requires four to six months before resuming sports and strength training at the gym. Your exact recovery time will depend on the extent of your injury and surgery.

You should not do any reaching, lifting, pushing, or pulling with your shoulder during the first six weeks after surgery. You should not reach behind your back with the operative arm. You may remove your arm from the sling to bend and straighten your elbow and to move your fingers several times a day.