Total shoulder replacement surgery can greatly help improve mobility and decrease pain. But you have to invest in your own recovery after the procedure. In this article, we are going to discuss the recovery protocol after total shoulder replacement surgery.
0 – 6 Weeks
- Immediately start Pendulums, Elbow and Hand ROM. Supine Active Assisted Forward Elevation (SAAFE), and External Rotation With Stick. It is imperative that the patient understands the exercises and are able to demonstrate that they can perform the exercises, as they are responsible for performing these at home. Stretching exercises should be performed 1 time per day.
- External rotation should be limited to 30 degrees for the first 4 weeks and then progressed out to 60 degrees.
6 – 8 Weeks
- Start AAROM with Home Pulley
- Start IR, ER and abduction isometric strengthening exercises. Start very slowly on the IR isometrics.
- Start Supine Active Forward Elevation (SAFE) exercises.
- Start Functional Internal Rotation using a towel or belt to pull the operative arm up behind the back.
- DC sling at 6 weeks
8 – 12 Weeks
- Performing all forms of posterior capsule stretching exercises are appropriate.
- Start Standing Overhead Reach and 4 Way Shoulder Rubber-Band strengthening and Active Range of Motion in upright position. Make sure that the patient is not developing substitution patterns with active ROM. If the patient is developing these patterns then try Wedge Assisted Active Forward Elevation (WAFE).
12 – 16 Weeks
- Teach continued home program for deltoid Active Range of Motion and RC strength maintenance
- Work on neuromuscular control
- Teach specific exercises and proper mechanics for specific sport such as golf, racket sports, fishing or a vocation. Throwing exercises such as concentric and eccentric resisted throwing with bands and throwers ten exercises can be started now.
16 Weeks
- Return to unrestricted activity. Impress upon the patient that heavy lifting and other weight bearing activities can lead to loosening and accelerated polyethylene/glenoid wear and thus should be avoided.
