Rehabilitation After Shoulder Surgery – Recovery
Rehabilitation after shoulder surgery is key to regaining movement, strength and arm function. It follows your surgeon’s protocol and is adapted to each person and type of operation.
What rehabilitation after shoulder surgery involves
Shoulder operations cover different procedures, such as rotator cuff repair, stabilisation after a dislocation, surgery for impingement, or joint replacement. Each has its own protocol that sets when and how much the shoulder may be moved and loaded.
Recovery usually passes through several phases: protecting the repaired structure, gradually restoring mobility, then strength, and finally a return to daily and sporting activities. The pace depends on the type of surgery, the quality of the tissues and your general health.
Full recovery often takes months. Following your surgeon’s instructions and exercising regularly lead to a good functional result in most people, but no guarantees can be given.
Why rehabilitation matters
- helps prevent excessive stiffness and adhesions
- restores joint mobility step by step
- rebuilds the strength of the muscles around the shoulder and shoulder blade
- supports healing through safe loading
- reduces pain and swelling
- helps you return to work, driving and sport
What to expect
- pain and swelling in the first weeks
- stiffness and limited shoulder movement
- muscle weakening from immobilisation
- night pain and disturbed sleep
- difficulty dressing and with personal care
- gradual improvement in strength and movement
How we can help
We work in line with your surgeon’s protocol and start with a thorough assessment. We combine manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, therapeutic massage and equipment such as laser, magnet, electrotherapy and Normatec compression to ease pain and swelling. Rehabilitation is also available at your home in 60-minute individual sessions. If we suspect a complication, we will refer you to a doctor.
When to contact your surgeon or a doctor
Contact your surgeon or see a doctor right away for fever, redness, warmth or discharge from the wound, suddenly worsening severe pain, numbness or paleness of the arm, calf swelling and pain, or shortness of breath. Also seek advice if you feel a sudden pop with loss of strength or if pain does not settle as expected.
This page is for information only and does not replace an assessment by a specialist.