Exercises to do after surgery
It is important to do the exercises recommended by your therapist after your shoulder replacement surgery.
You can begin with hand, wrist, and elbow exercises immediately after surgery. Your therapist, as directed by your surgeon, will instruct you on which exercises to do, and when to begin, as you progress after surgery.
Click each image for a video demonstration of the exercise.
Exercises to be done immediately after surgery:
Active Assisted Elbow Motion Transcript is below
Stand up straight in a tall, upright posture. Hold the wrist of your surgical arm with the opposite hand. Supporting your arm with your other hand, move the hand of your surgical arm toward your shoulder until a gentle stretch is felt. Hold for 3-5 sec. Slowly move your hand down so your fingers point toward the floor, supporting your arm with your other hand. Hold for 3-5 sec. Repeat each position 10 times.
Active Wrist Flexion and Extension Transcript is below
With your forearm supported, slowly bend your wrist forward and back, holding each position for 3-5 sec. Repeat 10 times.
Passive Forearm Pronation Transcript is below
Use the hand on the nonsurgical side to turn your forearm so that your palm faces upward. Hold for 3-5 sec. Turn your forearm so that your palm faces toward the floor. Hold for 3-5 sec. Repeat 10 times.
Ball Squeeze Transcript is below
Hold a small foam ball in the hand of your surgical side. Squeeze the ball and hold for 3-5 seconds. Repeat 10-20 times.
Exercises to perform only when directed by your surgeon, with instructions from your physical therapist:
Active Elbow Motion Transcript is below
Stand up straight in a tall, upright posture. Bend your elbow to slowly move your hand toward the front of your shoulder. Change direction and straighten your elbow fully, until your hand is pointed toward the floor. Hold each position for 3-5 seconds. Repeat 10- 20 times.
Pendulum Exercise Transcript is below
Lean forward and rest your non-surgery arm on a tabletop. Relax your surgery arm and shift your body weight forward and back so your arm swings gently like a pendulum. Repeat 30 times.
Active Assisted Shoulder Elevation Transcript is below
Lay on your back with a rolled towel under your elbow on the surgery side. Hold your wrist on the operative side with your other hand. Use your non-surgery side to assist in moving your arm over your head. Keep your elbow relaxed. Hold at end position for 3-5 seconds. Repeat 10-20 times.
Cane Assisted Shoulder Lateral Rotation Transcript is below
Lay on your back with a rolled towel under your elbow on the surgery side. Use a cane or other long object held in your hands to guide the shoulder into rotation as shown. Try to maintain your elbow bent at 90 degrees. or the specific range recommended by your doctor or therapist. Hold end position for 3-5 seconds. Repeat 10 – 20 times.
Overhead pulley Transcript is below
Sit in a chair with your back to the door and the pulley securely attached above your head. Slowly push down with the nonsurgical side hand to raise your surgical arm up until a gentle stretch is felt. Lower your arm slowly to the starting position. Repeat 10 – 20 times.