Post-Op Rehab for Total Shoulder Replacement

Total shoulder replacement arthroplasty is a common and well-established type of shoulder procedure that attempts to reduce pain as well as improve function of the shoulder. In this surgery, the damaged bones and cartilage in the shoulder are replaced with metal and plastic implants. Even though it is an intimidating, large-scale operation with a long recovery period, it is most of the time very successful and has yielded plenty of positive results for patients. While you will not be able to move your shoulder as far as before, you will experience a lot less pain when doing normal activities and routines.

It is extremely important that you start doing physical therapy immediately after a total shoulder replacement. Following the operation, a physical therapist may begin performing gentle exercises on your shoulder. These exercises are passive, meaning the physical therapist moves your arm for you while you relax. During the first few days after surgery, your physical therapist will continue moving your arm to keep your shoulder loose. He or she will also show you how to use a pulley device so that you can move your arm once you are home. After a couple of days recuperating in the hospital, you will be sent home to recover. During the first six weeks you are home, you will be restricted to limited activities and will not be allowed to move any shoulder muscles.

Once you have reached the six week mark, you may begin to do some light stretching as well as exercises focusing on active use of the shoulder muscles. These exercises may include elbow range of motion, grip strengthening, scapula retraction, supported arm pendulum, and external rotation. After 3 months, your physical therapist will ramp up the intensity of your strength training exercises.

Total shoulder replacement surgery may seem like a difficult surgery to recover from due to arduous rehab that comes after, but at Enhanced Physical Therapy, we aim to make your rehab as smooth and comfortable as possible and getting your shoulder back to feeling healthy and pain-free!