How to Avoid a Frozen Shoulder After a Repair

With an adhesive capsulitis, or frozen shoulder, you can experience pain and stiffness in your shoulder joint. Your symptoms can start gradually and worsen over time. You can develop this condition after your shoulder has been surgically repaired and immobilized for a period of time, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). So, it's important to try range of motion exercises early to avoid frozen shoulder after repair. Although it can resolve itself within two years, you can avoid a frozen shoulder after repair via various treatments in addition to exercise like drugs and injections.

Instructions

• 1

  Rehabilitate your shoulder. Exercises can improve range of motion and flexibility. With the wand exercise external rotation you want to lie on your back. Hold a stick in your hands with your palms. Make sure that your upper arms are resting on the floor. Your elbows should be bent 90 degrees with your elbows at your side. Use one arm to push your other arm away from your body. Keep your elbow pushed at your side. Then hold for five seconds. Repeat 10 times.

  Try a scapular active range of motion exercise. You want to stand and shrug your shoulders up then hold for five seconds. Squeeze your shoulder blades back and make sure they are together. Hold that position for another five seconds. Relax your shoulder blades. Repeat 10 times.
  Also, try a pectoralis stretch. You want to stand either in a corner or doorway. Place your hands on the wall. Make sure your hands are slightly above your head. Lean forward, slightly, until you feel the front of your shoulders stretch. You should hold this position for 15-30 seconds. You only have to repeat this exercise three times.

  Stretch your biceps. Stand approximately six inches away from a wall. Raise your arm out to your side. Place your hand against the wall. You want the thumb side of your hand on the wall with your palm down. Make sure to keep your elbow straight. Move your body in the opposite direction of your raised arm. Stop when you feel your biceps stretch. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat three times.

• 2

  Try medication avoid a frozen shoulder. Corticosteroids injections can help decrease the pain you feel. However, you shouldn't have this injection more than once, according to the Mayo Clinic. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are another option to control a frozen shoulder after repair. The medication can relieve inflammation and pain which can accompany your frozen shoulder.

• 3

  Use other methods. Your doctor can inject sterile water into your joint capsule. This can help you move your arm more effectively and stretch the shoulder tissue. In addition, your doctor can also manipulate your shoulder. With this procedure, you're under general anesthesia. Your doctor will move your shoulder joints in different ways to help loosen the tight tissue in your shoulder.