Shoulder Surgery Recovery & Rehabilitation

After surgery for a torn rotator cuff, a shoulder labrum tear or total shoulder replacement, rehabilitation at Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital eases pain, speeds your recovery, and helps you regain strength and flexibility.

Shoulder Surgery Recovery Support

Prepare for a rehabilitation program while you’re still at Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital following your operation. An experienced physical therapist or occupational therapist will:

• Examine your shoulder
• Meet with your surgery team to thoroughly understand your procedure and original injury
• Help you set goals for recovery
• Develop a personalized rehabilitation plan

Stages of Shoulder Surgery Rehabilitation

Your therapist at Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital will guide you through these phases of shoulder surgery rehabilitation:

• Immobilization – Stabilizes your shoulder with a sling for a few weeks as the joint heals
• Passive exercise – Relies on the support and assistance of your therapist or a continuous passive motion machine to gently move your arm beginning several weeks after surgery
• Active exercise – Uses your own muscles to move your arm and shoulder starting up to three months after the operation

As you progress through shoulder surgery rehabilitation, gentle stretches and weight-lifting exercises will help you gain endurance and range of motion. You’ll perform some of these activities in a pool, which eases the impact on your shoulder. Massages will decrease discomfort while you recover.

Faster Shoulder Surgery Recovery

Follow your therapist’s guidelines for exercising at home to keep your shoulder mobile and to recover from surgery as soon as possible.

You’ll take part in rehabilitation for anywhere from several weeks to a year. How long you spend in therapy depends on the severity of the original shoulder injury, as well as your specific surgical procedure, age and overall health.