Racket sports are an incredibly popular way to stay active, especially among older adults who enjoy playing tennis or pickleball. These sports also require flexible and repetitive motions on the shoulder, which is why a shoulder replacement procedure is a common treatment if pain or arthritis has made racket sports increasingly difficult. One of the most common questions we hear from tennis and pickleball players ahead of shoulder replacement is in regards to whether or not they can return to the court following their operation. In today’s blog, we chart a course for returning to racket sports following shoulder replacement.
Racket Sports Shoulder Replacement Rehabilitation
You will be able to get back to your favorite racket sports following shoulder replacement surgery, but you won’t be able to return to the court overnight. The key to making a triumphant return to the court lies in a strong rehab program, which will take place over the course of a few months. While your shoulder surgeon will walk you through a individualized recovery program based on your specific surgery and personal needs, here’s a general timeline of what you can expect if you’re trying to make a strong enough recovery after shoulder surgery to return to racket sports.
- 2-3 Weeks – Your shoulder and arm will be in a sling for 2-3 weeks right after the procedure. This will help to protect the shoulder as it recovers from the trauma of surgery. You’ll be expected to take it easy for the first couple of weeks, and painkillers or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications can help make the process a little less uncomfortable.
- 3-6 Weeks – You’ll begin some range of motion and physical therapy exercises around the 3-6 week mark. This may begin with some gentle exercises at home after you’ve ditched the sling, or you may start your therapy in a clinic with a physical therapist. During the earlier end of this window, you’ll typically focus on some passive range of motion exercises, but the goal will be to have you gradually expand your comfortable range of motion as the joint continues to heal.
- 6-12 Weeks – During this period, you can expect a heavy dose of active physical therapy. This means you’re working to move the joint on your own, but you will still likely be working directly with a physical therapist to ensure your movements and exercises are appropriate. This is a very crucial period to establish range of motion in the joint, which is something all racket sports enthusiasts need for their game.
- 3-6 Months – Around the 3-month mark, your shoulder should be feeling pretty flexible, but it’s likely still weakened as a result of the surgery and the limited use over the past couple months. Physical therapy will focus on strengthening and stabilizing the shoulder joint so that it can handle the stress of racket sports with ease. There is no set timetable for how long you pursue strength training exercises, but many shoulder replacement candidates find that it’s helpful to continue practicing some shoulder strengthening exercises on a consistent basis even if they are no longer working directly with a PT.
About half of shoulder replacement patients are back to playing a high-level of racket sports by the 6-month mark, and nearly 90 percent are back by one-year post-op, so you can typically expect to return to action somewhere between 6-12 months after surgery. Some additional tips to keep your new artificial shoulder safe as you transition back to the court include:
- Gradually ease back into recreational and competitive play
- Stretch prior to activity
- Participate in some dynamic warmups and simple rallies to prepare your shoulder and body for sport-specific movements
- Continue to strengthen your shoulder when you’re not on the court
- Have the proper shoes and equipment for your activities.
- Only play on clear, dry surfaces
- Stop if your shoulder feels uncomfortable or painful
If you follow your surgeon’s recommendations and really participate during your physical therapy sessions, we believe you’ll make a strong recovery following your shoulder replacement procedure and give yourself a good chance of quickly returning to your favorite racket sport. For more information, or for help with a shoulder issue that you’re dealing with, reach out to Dr. Holloway and his team today at (865) 410-7887.
