Shoulder Therapy After Surgery

To achieve full recovery after shoulder surgery and prevent scarring or further complications, it's essential to develop a therapy plan with your orthopaedic surgeon and physical therapist. Based on the type of shoulder surgery, you will have a specific set of daily stretches, exercises and strength-building techniques to follow. Exercise time and amount vary, but the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons estimate that most people will need to engage in post-surgery exercises two to three times a day for 10-15 minutes at a time.

Rotation Exercises

• Since many shoulder surgeries occur within the shoulder's rotary cuff, building back your range of rotation is essential to recovery. Some of the rotation stretches and exercises your physical therapist may prescribe include the circular pendulum (moving the arm clockwise and counterclockwise while moving your torso in a circular motion), supported shoulder rotation (shoulder rotations with your elbow on the table) and internal rotation (reaching across your back and rotating the shoulder inward). Varieties of rotation exercises may use the assistance of a wall or weights.

  One rotation exercise has the patient lie on a pillow with the forearm perpendicular to the ground and the upper arm flat on the ground. With a light weight (two to five pounds) in your hand, lift toward your stomach and hold. This exercise is done three times a day in reps of 10 each time.

  For the weighted "external" rotation exercise, lie on your side on a pillow. Place a towel on your ribs and rest your upper arm against your body, on top of the towel. Hold your forearm so it forms a 90-degree angle with your upper arm. With weight in hand, slowly raise your hand to and away from your stomach.

Extension and Flexion Exercises

• To regain flexibility in your arm and shoulder region, maintain a steady routine of extension and flexion exercises. During flexion exercise, hold your arms out in a certain position and maintain the stretch for several seconds at a time. One such exercise requires you to lie on the ground and stretch your arms over your head. Reach out toward a point and hold the position for 10 seconds. Repeat as necessary (roughly 10-20 repetitions).

  Other flexion exercises are performed standing up. To perform the active shoulder flexion, start with your affected arm at your side. Lift your arm and reach to the ceiling. Your elbow should remain straight and parallel with your body. Hold the stretch for 10 seconds. Complete three repetitions, three times a day.

  To perform shoulder extensions, hold your hands by your side and point your fingers at the ground. For best results and safety, keep your back against a wall. Stretch your hands backward toward the wall so that your palms rest against the wall. Hold the pose for five seconds. Complete 10 repetitions twice a day.

Abduction and Adduction Exercises

• Abduction (shoulder muscle movement away from the body's horizontal -- or sagittal -- plane) and adduction (shoulder muscle movement toward the body's sagittal plane) exercises are both essential for shoulder strengthening and recovery. Some important abduction exercises include the active shoulder abduction and the isometric shoulder abduction. During active shoulder abduction, stretch out your affected arm so that your palm faces the ground. Bring your arm down to your side and slowly return to the palm down position, making sure to keep your elbow straight and parallel to the ground. Outstretch your arm and hold for 10 second. Complete three repetitions. Repeat three times a day. In isometric shoulder abduction exercises, place your elbow against the back of a chair or pillow so that it creates resistance with your arm. Push your elbow against the pillow or chair and hold for five seconds. Complete 10 repetitions. Repeat three times a day.

  For your adduction exercises, try out the isometric adduction shoulder stretch. To perform this, hold a small pillow under your affected arm. Then squeeze your inner arm and armpit against the pillow. You should feel your shoulder muscle pressing inwards. Hold for 5 seconds. Complete 10 repetitions. Repeat 3 times a day.

  Before you try any of these exercises at home, consult your orthopaedic surgeron and physical therapist to show you the proper way to perform them. Your therapist and/or doctor may also recommend additional daily exercises based on your specific type of shoulder surgery.