Rehabilitation

At your first post-operative visit (two weeks from your surgical date), Dr. Jawa/Dr. Kirsch will show you exercises to begin gentle range of motion of your shoulder. These exercises should be done in sets of 10, 3-5 times daily. Dr. Jawa/Dr. Kirsch may also recommend that you remove your sling as much as possible to do activities in front of you. It is important to remember not to rotate your arm to the side any further than seen to the right. You should also be sure to continue to wear your sling while sleeping and when in public.

Exercises

Begin with your operative shoulder against a wall. Slowly lift your arm in front of you as high as possible. Your shoulder should remain against the wall to prevent you from rotating your shoulder outwards while doing this exercise.

Next, use your other arm to help lift your operative arm gently until you reach resistance. Stay in this position for 10 seconds and slowly release. Your non-operative arm should only be doing approximately 10% of the work.

Your goal by your next post-operative visit should be at least 90° as seen to the right

At your second post-operative visit (6 weeks from your surgical date), Dr. Jawa/Dr. Kirsch will show your exercises to begin gentle range of motion of your shoulder. These exercises should be done in sets of 10, 3-5 times daily. Dr. Jawa/Dr. Kirsch may also recommend that you remove your sling as much as possible to do activities in front of you.

Exercises

Forward Elevation: Continue to work on lifting your arm in front of you. You may use a wall and “walk up” the wall with your fingertips as displayed to the right.

External Rotation: You can gently begin to rotate your arm outwards after your second post-operative appointment. You can use your nonoperative arm to help apply light pressure to help you.

Internal Rotation: You may also now start to reach behind your back. This is generally the most difficult motion for patients after shoulder replacement.

**If using TheraBands: use light/medium resistance bands, which are yellow, red, green,blue. Other resistance bands can be used, as long as their overall resistance is < 15 lbs
(usually called #0, #1, extra-light, or light).

If using free weights, use weights less than 5 pounds.**

External Rotation:

Keeping your elbow at your side, turn your hand outward against resistance.
Perform 3 sets of 10 repetitions, 2-3 times per day.

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Forward Raise:

With light resistance, lift your arm in front of you to approximately shoulder height. Lift higher as you can tolerate. Perform 3 sets of 10 repetitions, 2-3 times per day.

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Wall Push Up:

Starting with your body upright, place your hands on the wall. Slowly lower yourself as tolerated, and press back to a standing position. Perform 3 sets of 10 repetitions, 2-3 times per day.

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Scapular Retraction:

Keeping your hands in front of you, squeeze your shoulder blades together for 3 seconds, then relax. Perform 3 sets of 10 repetitions, 2-3 times per day

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