People with significant shoulder pain from arthritis can find relief from their symptoms through shoulder replacement surgery. During the procedure, the surgeon replaces the damaged shoulder joint with an artificial implant. Combined with a comprehensive physical therapy rehabilitation program, shoulder replacement patients can regain shoulder function and return to the activities they love.
What Happens During Post-Operative Physical Therapy
Physical therapists (PTs) design a goal-oriented rehabilitation program that helps patients slowly regain shoulder strength and range of motion. It also helps with controlling pain. The ultimate goal is to help the patient return to previous activity levels. After completing a physical rehabilitation program, you should be able to do household work, job duties, and hobbies.
Your first meeting with a physical therapist will begin as soon as the day after surgery. Your shoulder will be in a sling for several weeks, during which you should avoid lifting items and make reaching motions with the affected arm. The PT will instruct you on movements to do and avoid and gentle and specific exercises to reduce stiffness. The PT will help you through the challenges of removing and putting on your shoulder sling, getting in and out of bed, getting dressed, going to the bathroom, and other everyday tasks. Patients recovering from shoulder replacement surgery will need assistance, especially during the first few weeks.
Physical Therapy Exercises
Prescribed exercises will vary depending on the stage of recovery.
Range of motion exercises
Exercises after shoulder surgery start with gentle range of motion exercises. Since the muscles in the affected shoulder are weaker after surgery, passive range-of-motion exercises are recommended to maintain motion. PTs use a passive motion machine to move the arm gently or a pulley to slowly lift the arm up as far as comfortably possible. The PT will also teach you exercises you can do at home such to prevent upper extremity stiffness, such as pendulum exercises.
Strengthening exercises
Strengthening exercises usually begin six weeks after surgery. There is a focus on strengthening the deltoid muscle of the shoulder which is essential for proper shoulder function, and also the biceps and triceps, forearms, hands. Your PT may recommend deltoid strengthening exercises that involve the use of resistance bands and weights, as well as handgrip exercises to prevent hand forearm and hand weakness. As you become stronger, you will move on to more challenging exercises.
Functional training
After you’ve restored strength and range of motion, the PT can begin with functional training, which involves teaching you how to safely perform activities you would like to return to, such as hobbies and occupational tasks. If you are experiencing difficulty with any task or motion, let your physical therapist know.
Physical therapy is vital to recovery. Programs do not just include exercises but also pain management techniques. PTs use various modalities such as ice, heat, and electrical stimulation to control pain and help shoulder replacement patients have a comfortable recovery.
Shoulder Surgeon in Maryland
Our orthopedic surgeons at Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder are experts in upper extremity care. For any and all shoulder issues, you can expect to receive the best possible care and treatment in any of our several locations throughout Maryland. We also make sure you get on a superior physical therapy rehabilitation program.
We will let you know your options for getting your shoulder back to normal. To schedule a consultation, call (410) 296-6232 or use our online appointment request form.
