Phase3:IsometricExercise
(14‐18WeeksafterSurgery)
Phase3:IsometricExercises14‐18Weeks
Beginning14weeksaftersurgerythepatientcanbegin
isometricexercises.Usingapilloworfoldedtowelthepatient
appliespressuretothewallwithoutmovingtheshoulder.
ISOMETRICPUSHANDPULL
Withapillowagainstthewall,andthearmtuckedclosetothebody,create
pressurewiththefistforforwardpush,andwiththeelbowtopush
backward.Holdthepositionfor15secondsthenrestfor30seconds.Repeat
this10‐15times.This
canbedonedaily.
ISOMETRICEXTERNALANDINTERNALROTATION
Withapillowagainstawall,andthearmtuckedclosetothebody,create
pressurewiththebackofthehandforexternalrotation,andwiththepalm
ofthehandforinternalrotation.Holdthepositionfor15secondsthenrest
for30seconds.
Repeatthis10‐15times.Thiscanbedonedaily.
InstructionsfortheTherapist
EXERCISEPROGRAM:Therapybegins6weeksafter
surgery.Exercisesshouldbeperformeddailysupervisedby
atherapist1‐3x/week,andathomeontheotherdays.
Phase1:PassiveRangeofMotion6‐10Weeks
Passiverangeofmotionbegins6 weeksaftersurgery.
Passiverangeofmotionrequiresthetherapistoran
assistantathometoputthearmthroughacomfortable
rangeofmotionwhilethepatientissupine.Motionsinclude
forwardelevation,externalrotation,andabduction–allwith‐
inacomfortablerange.Pendulumexercisesarebegundur‐
ingthistime.Scapulaexercisesbeginat6weeks.Scapula
exercisesshouldincludeshrugs,depression,retractionand
protraction.Hand,wrist,andelbowmotionshouldbedone
adlib.
Phase2:ActiveAssistedRangeofMotion10‐18Weeks
Thisphaseintroducesactiveassistedrangeofmotion.The
patientliessupineandusestheirotherarm(orcaneorstick)
tomovetheaffectedarmintoforwardelevation,external
rotation,andabduction.Thepatientdoesthissupineat
week10,45degreesuprightforweek11,andcompletely
uprightatweek12.Afterweek12,thepatientcanuse
pulleysforforwardelevation.