Shoulder Rehabilitation Guide

Guide to Shoulder Rehabilitation
! Welcome to our Shoulder Rehabilitation video series. These videos are designed to help
maximize your recovery following shoulder surgery.
! This video should not be used as a substitute for regular physical therapy visits and
guidance from your physician.
! Only progress from one phase to the next based on recommendation from your physician.
Most therapy regimens, particularly after surgery, are based on a healing timeline.
Progressing too quickly, even though it may feel okay at first, may put you at risk for injury.
! Regular physical therapy visits are valuable for giving you feedback on your progress and
helping to ensure you are doing exercises properly.
! Equipment needed may include a stick or cane, pulley, resistance bands and light
dumbbells.
! Icing is very important after each therapy session – place an ice pack or cooling pad on the
affected area for 10 minutes to help limit any irritation from exercise.
! If the affected joint is stiff, try using moist heat for 10 minutes prior to exercise to help
loosen things up.
! If you develop any questions or concerns regarding your condition while using this video,
contact your physician.
! Best of luck in your recovery.
PHASE 1 – Passive Motion Exercises
GOALS: Protect healing tissue; minimize shoulder stiffness with low-stress motion exercises
KEY POINTS:
! Engage in passive motion only; do not lift your arm on its own
! Allow gravity or your opposite arm to lift and move the involved shoulder
! Start at one set of 12-15 reps and progress to 2 sets
! Conduct exercises 2-3 times daily
PHASE 1 EXERCISES:
1. PENDULUMS
2. SUPINE ELEVATION
3. STICK SUPINE EXTERNAL ROTATION TO 30 DEGEES
4. ACTIVE MOTION ELBOW, WRIST, AND HAND
5. GRIP STRENGHTHENING
See Phase 1 video at http://www.matthewboesmd.com/shoulder-rehabilitation/ to view the

exercises.
PHASE 2 – Active Motion Exercises
GOALS: Normal shoulder motion in all directions
KEY POINTS:
! Use the opposite arm to help move the affected arm via pulley or stick
! Try to avoid ‘hiking’ of the shoulder; keep shoulder blades down and level during motion
! Start at one set of 12-15 reps and progress to 2 sets
! Conduct exercises 2-3 times daily
PHASE 2 EXERCISES:
1. PULLEYS – ELEVATION
2. PULLEYS – ABDUCTION
3. STICK UPRIGHT – ELEVATION
4. STICK UPRIGHT – ABDUCTION
5. STICK UPRIGHT – EXTERNAL ROTATION @ ZERO DEGREE
6. STICK UPRIGHT – EXTERNAL ROTATION @ 90 DEGREES
7. STICK UPRIGHT – INTERNAL ROTATION BEHIND BACK

exercises.
PHASE 3 – Stretching Exercises
GOALS: Resolve any tightness or stiffness in the shoulder that may be limiting full shoulder
motion
KEY POINTS:
! Avoid ‘hiking” the shoulder to achieve full motion at the joint
! Compare to motion of opposite shoulder to determine any deficiency
! Conduct stretching exercises 3-4 times per day
! Hold stretch for 30 seconds, relax for 15 seconds, then repeat for 5 reps per session for
each exercise
PHASE 3 EXERCISES:
1. TABLE SLIDES – ELEVATION
2. TABLE SLIDES – ABDUCTION
3. WALL SLIDES
4. DOORWAY – EXTERNAL ROTATION @ WAIST
5. DOORWAY – EXTERNAL ROTATION @ SHOULDER
6. DOORWAY – EXTERNAL ROTATION ABOVE SHOULDER
7. CROSS BODY
8. STICK – INTERNAL ROTATION
9. TOWEL – INTERNAL ROTATION
2
exercises.
PHASE 4 – Isometric Strengthening Exercises
GOALS: Activate muscles and avoid de-conditioning
KEY POINTS:
! Isometrics are the least stressful type of strengthening exercise
! Used to prepare muscles for early strengthening while avoiding stress, to healing tissue
after injury or surgery
! Exercises involve contraction against a fixed resistance [ex: post, wall, doorframe, etc.]
! Hold each exercise for 5 seconds; repeat 8-10 repetitions
PHASE 4 EXERCISES:
1. ISOMETRIC STRENGTH – ELEVATION
2. ISOMETIC STRENGTH – ABDUCTION
3. ISOMETRIC STRENGTH - EXTENSION
4. ISOMETRIC STRENGTH – EXTERNAL ROTATION
5. ISOMETRIC STRENGTH – INTERNAL ROTATION

exercises.
PHASE 5 – Early Strengthening Exercises
GOALS: Rebuild muscle endurance in low-stress manner
KEY POINTS:
! All exercises are done below shoulder level to avoid irritation
! Avoid extension of the elbow behind the back
! Do light resistance and high repetitions
! Exercise bands [ex: Therabands] are used for light resistance. Bands have different
resistance with each color based on the manufacturer. Start with the lightest resistance
band and increase every 1-2 weeks as tolerated
! Conduct 1-2 sets of 12-15 repetitions per session; hold for 1-2 count at point of max
resistance
! Conduct strengthening exercises 3-4 times per week; allow for a rest day in between
sessions
! If irritation and pain develop, decrease resistance or frequency of exercises
PHASE 5 EXERCISES:
1. THERABAND DISCUSSION CLIP
2. BAND – ELEVATION & ABDUCTION
3. BAND – EXTERNAL ROTATION
3
4. BAND – INTERNAL ROTATION
5. BAND - HORIZONTAL ROW

exercises.
PHASE 6 – Advanced Strengthening Exercises
GOAL: Build muscle strength and improve shoulder function
KEY POINTS:
! Conduct strengthening exercises 3-4 times per week; allow rest day
! Conduct 1-2 sets of 12-15 repetitions per session
! If irritation and pain develop, decrease resistance or frequency
! You may prefer exercise bands for some exercises as opposed to dumbbells
! You can substitute cable machine at the gym for exercise bands, if desired
! Return to sports or high level activity per physician recommendation
PHASE 6 EXERCISES:
1. DUMBBELL - EXPLANATION
2. DUMBELL – ELEVATION & ABDUCTION
3. DUMBELL – EXTERNAL ROTATION
4. DUMBELL – INTERNAL ROTATION
5. DUMBELL - BENT ROW
6. DUMBELL – POSTERIOR RAISE
7. BAND DIAGONALS
8. DUMBELL – DIAGONAL
9. BAND – PUNCHES
10. BAND – EXTERNAL ROTATION @ 90 DEG
11. BAND – INTERNAL ROTATION @ 90 DEG

exercises.
For more information, visit www.MatthewBoesMD.com

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Guide to Shoulder Rehabilitation

PHASE 1 – Passive Motion Exercises

See Phase 1 video at http://www.matthewboesmd.com/shoulder-rehabilitation/ to view the

GOALS: Normal shoulder motion in all directions

See Phase 2 video at http://www.matthewboesmd.com/shoulder-rehabilitation/ to view the

PHASE 3 – Stretching Exercises

PHASE 4 – Isometric Strengthening Exercises

GOALS: Activate muscles and avoid de-conditioning

See Phase 4 video at http://www.matthewboesmd.com/shoulder-rehabilitation/ to view the

PHASE 5 – Early Strengthening Exercises

GOALS: Rebuild muscle endurance in low-stress manner

See Phase 5 video at http://www.matthewboesmd.com/shoulder-rehabilitation/ to view the

PHASE 6 – Advanced Strengthening Exercises

GOAL: Build muscle strength and improve shoulder function

See Phase 6 video at http://www.matthewboesmd.com/shoulder-rehabilitation/ to view the

For more information, visit www.MatthewBoesMD.com

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