Your shoulder has the greatest range of motion of all the joints in your body. Shoulder instability can occur as the result of repetitive stress on your shoulder or repeated shoulder dislocations. Shoulder instability can be painful and cause your shoulder joint to frequently move out of its socket. Surgery can sometimes help restore normal function of the shoulder. Following shoulder instability surgery, you will need to participate in physical therapy to regain full shoulder range of motion and strength.
Step 1
Make a followup appointment with your doctor. Following shoulder instability surgery, your shoulder will be in a sling and you will be instructed not to use your shoulder or get it wet until you follow up with your surgeon. You will be given instructions on the day of your surgery when to follow up with your doctor. At this appointment, your doctor will allow you to remove your sling and will discuss physical therapy with you. You will be given a prescription describing the type of therapy your doctor wants you to participate in.
Step 2
Attend your first therapy appointment. During this appointment, a physical therapist will take a medical history and examine your shoulder. This will help determine the types of exercises you will be performing.
Step 3
Receive ultrasound or massage therapy. Your physical therapist may apply an ultrasound to your shoulder or massage your shoulder. This will help to stimulate healing of your muscles and tissues as well as alleviate pain and swelling.
Step 4
Engage in shoulder stretching exercises. These should be performed for 10 to 15 minutes per day, two to three times per day. Shoulder stretching exercises include raising and lowering your affected arm out to the side, reaching up and behind your back and the ability to make arm circles.
Step 5
Perform functional exercises. A physical therapist will also instruct you on how to perform functional exercises. Functional exercises will allow you to return to performing daily tasks, including getting yourself dressed and daily household chores.
Step 6
Engage in weight training. A physical therapist may have you use weight machines or dumbbells to strengthen your arms. You may complete shoulder presses and triceps and bicep curls and extensions.
Step 7
Return to sports or work. Your return to work or sports may take weeks or up to a year. This depends on the physicality of your work and how competitive an athlete you are.
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