When may what be done? | Physiotherapy after shoulder surgery

When may what be done?

After a shoulder operation, all patients naturally want to return to their regular everyday lives as quickly as possible and, if necessary, resume their sporting activities. However, this may initially require a little patience, especially in the shoulder, as it is essential for the success of the therapy that the operated joint is first immobilized so that the shoulder can recover from the operation and damage is not directly caused by overloading. Physiotherapy takes place passively during this period.

For most people, this initially means 4-6 weeks of complete immobilization of the joint. During this time, the patient must not use his arm actively under any circumstances. Once this phase is over, active physiotherapy can be started, during which the patient trains his mobility, coordination and muscle strength in order to make the shoulder able to bear weight again. If everything goes according to plan, the patient can return to sports after about 3 months and ideally, he or she will have no more restrictions in everyday life. However, how quickly the rehabilitation process progresses depends on the individual patient and can be delayed up to 6 months in more serious cases.

How much physiotherapy is prescribed?

During physiotherapy and also at home during rehabilitation after shoulder surgery, a series of exercises are performed regularly to strengthen, stabilize and mobilize the operated joint. Some of these exercises are described in more detail below: Stretching of the musculature Sit straight and upright on a chair. Then grasp the wrist of the operated arm with the hand of the healthy arm.

The operated arm now points diagonally downwards. From this position, slowly guide the operated arm outwards and upwards. The gaze follows the outstretched arm.

3 repetitions. Mobilization of the shoulder joint Sit straight and upright on a chair as before. In the hand of the operated arm you hold a small weight, 0.5 kg (e.g. a water bottle).

Now slowly swing the weight back and forth beside your body. Mobilization of the shoulder joint Stand with your face against a wall. You should stand about 30cm away from the wall.

Now place both hands on the wall and crawl up and down the wall with your hands as far as possible. Strengthening the muscles Sit on a chair and place your palms together at chest level in front of your body. Now press the palms of your hands together as firmly as possible.

Hold the tension for 10 seconds. 5 repetitions. Sit on a chair and wrap a Thera band around your thighs and wrists.

The arms hang loosely beside the body. Now move both arms outwards until the Theraband is taut. Hold the tension for 10 seconds, then release.

10 repetitions. Strengthening of the musculature Attach a Theraband in front of you and cover the ends briefly with your hands. Sit on a chair and pull the Theraband backwards so that the shoulder blades contract.

Hold the position for 10 seconds before you return to the starting position. 10 repetitions. Strengthening of the muscles Tense a Theraband between your hands.

Sit in front of a table and support your elbows on the edge of the table, about shoulder width apart. Now pull the Theraband apart by pressing your hands outwards. Hold the tension for 10 seconds and let it go.

10 repetitions. All exercises should be discussed in advance with an experienced therapist. The intensity of the training depends on the individual progress of the rehabilitation process.

1. Strengthening the musculature Sit up straight and upright on a chair. Now interlock your fingers in front of your body at chest level. Now pull your hands as far apart as possible until you feel a tension in your shoulders.

   Hold this position for 10 seconds. 5 repetitions.

2. Stretching of the musculature Sit straight and upright on a chair. Then grasp the wrist of the operated arm with the hand of the healthy arm.

   The operated arm now points diagonally downwards. From this position, slowly guide the operated arm outwards and upwards. The gaze follows the outstretched arm.

   3 repetitions.

3. Mobilization of the shoulder joint Sit straight and upright on a chair as usual. In the hand of the operated arm you hold a small weight, 0.5 kg (e.g. a water bottle). Now slowly swing the weight back and forth beside your body.
4. Mobilization of the shoulder joint Stand with your face against a wall.

   You should stand about 30cm away from the wall. Now place both hands on the wall and crawl up and down the wall with your hands as far as possible.

5. Strengthening the muscles Sit on a chair and place your palms together at chest level in front of your body. Now press the palms of your hands together as firmly as possible.

   Hold the tension for 10 seconds. 5 repetitions.

6. Strengthen your muscles Sit on a chair and wrap a Thera band around your thighs and wrists. The arms hang loosely beside the body.

   Now move both arms outwards until the Theraband is taut. Hold the tension for 10 seconds, then release. 10 repetitions.

7. Strengthening of the musculature Attach a Theraband in front of you and briefly grasp the ends with your hands.

   Sit on a chair and pull the Theraband backwards so that the shoulder blades contract. Hold the position for 10 seconds before you return to the starting position. 10 repetitions.

8. Strengthen the muscles Tense a Thera band between your hands.

   Sit in front of a table and support your elbows on the edge of the table, about shoulder width apart.Now pull the Theraband apart by pressing your hands outwards. Hold the tension for 10 seconds and let it loose. 10 repetitions.