Reverse shoulder arthroscopy is a major medical procedure in which parts of the bones of your shoulder are replaced with a prosthetic. Following the operation, you will need to undergo several months of physical therapy. Therapy will be divided into three phases, gradually building strength and restoring motion in your shoulder until you are fully healed.
Reverse Shoulder Surgery
Reverse should surgery is usually done on patients suffering from severe arthritis, as a last resort treatment option. When your shoulder deteriorates, causing extreme pain and weakness, mechanical changes are required. In a typical shoulder joint, the top end of the upper arm bone, the humerus, is shaped as a ball. This ball fits into a socket formed by your shoulder blade, called the scapula. In a reverse shoulder surgery, the structure of the shoulder is reversed. The implant is designed in a way so that the ball portion is attached to the shoulder blade and the socket is formed at the upper end of the arm bone.
Phase One
Phase one's duration lasts for the first six weeks after surgery. According to the Brigham and Women's Hospital, the goals of this phase are to promote the healing of soft tissue, maintain the integrity of the replaced joint, and enhance range of motion. Your arm will be in a sling for most or all of phase one. Exercises performed during this time period include arm flexion and elevation of your shoulder and arm, as well as range of motion exercises of your cervical spine, elbow, wrist, and hand. Once you can tolerate these exercises without pain, you will proceed onto phase two.
Phase Two
Phase two lasts from six to 12 weeks post-op. The goals of phase two include continued progression of range of motion in the shoulder joint and re-establishing shoulder stability. You will perform many of the same exercises as in phase one, while incorporating other exercises such as external and internal shoulder rotations. After about nine weeks, you can start using light weights -- about 1 to 3 lbs. -- while performing your exercises to help build muscle.
Phase Three
Phase three, lasting from 12 weeks onward, focuses on gradually rebuilding shoulder strength until your reach presurgical strength. Your goals are to enhance the functional use of your arm and shoulder, as well as shoulder mechanics, muscular strength and endurance. Your program will continue with gently-resisted exercises. Typically after four months your physical therapy can be done at home, three or four times a week. With continued rehab, eventually, you should be able to maintain pain free motion in your shoulder and resume daily activities.
