Recovery time for shoulder surgery usually takes a minimum of 6 weeks, and can take as long as a year, depending on the type of shoulder surgery you received. Proper care of the shoulder joint and your body as a whole is critical to achieving a full recovery and regaining full range of motion.

Some common types of shoulder surgery:

Rotator Cuff Repair:
The post-operative rehabilitation is patient specific depending on tear size, type, chronicity and fixation of the tendon. Rehabilitation starts from week 1 with a passive range of motion exercises when out of the sling to avoid stiffness, to 4+ months where upper limb sporting activities are initiated.

Glenohumeral labral repairs (SLAP, Bankart):
Following glenohumeral labral repair, the patient’s shoulder is immobilized for a short period, followed by restoring motion and, lastly, strengthening exercises. However, the protocol and progression will be largely dependent on the portion of the labrum that was initially torn.

Shoulder Arthroscopic Debridement:
In a process called arthroscopic debridement, loose or damaged cartilage is removed and, if present, bone spurs are filed down. The recovery time for debridement is usually much shorter in duration than RCR or labral repair because tissue has not been “repaired” or “reconstructed”.

The first several days after surgery can be the most challenging. You will likely have some pain, swelling, and numbness in the area. It’s important to limit the movement of your shoulder joint and keep your arm in the sling for as long as your doctor has recommended.

While you need to limit movement of your shoulder at first, that doesn’t mean that you need to be sedentary – quite the opposite! Walking is one of the best activities for early stages of recovery. Start with a short distance and increase it each day. Walking will improve circulation.

Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water while trying to eat a light and balanced diet for easy digestion. Plenty of quality sleep will help speed recovery. You may find it comfortable to sleep with a small pillow (or folded blanket) under your arm.

You may be wondering; how long after surgery before I can start doing therapy exercises? This varies with each type of shoulder surgery and the cumulative damage was repaired in the process. Your surgical team will likely have recommendations for you. However, it is common to begin physical therapy the same week of your surgery to jump start your recovery, assist with pain relief, and serve as an educational resource as you navigate the rehabilitation process.

Properly exercising your shoulder after a surgical procedure will help you regain full joint function. Your physical therapist will prescribe a list of rehab exercises as part of your treatment plan. It’s important that you follow the directions closely and listen to the feedback your body is giving you. 

While every person will have their own unique treatment plan, there are a few exercises that are commonly prescribed for post shoulder surgery rehabilitation.

If you are looking for a customized treatment plan using physical therapy in Mt. Pleasant MI, please contact us!

Knee and shoulder surgery both require many of the same things when it comes to post operative care. Plenty of rest, hydration, and limiting movement of the affected area are all critically important. Unlike shoulder surgery, knee surgery can present additional challenges when it comes to your ability to move around. 

Most patients will be able to leave the hospital within 1 to 3 days. Avoid bending/kneeling, lifting heavy objects, and standing for long periods of time.

Some common types of knee surgeries that we help patients recover from:

ACL Reconstruction:
ACL reconstruction involves surgery to rebuild the ligament in the center of the knee with a new ACL ligament and provide stability to the knee. Physical therapy is started soon after surgery, and an appropriate physical therapy program is critical for the surgery’s success. Typically, a minimum of nine months of rehabilitation is required before a full return to sport.

Total Knee Arthroplasty:
Total knee arthroplasty can provide reliable outcomes for patients suffering from end-stage degenerative knee osteoarthritis. Specifically, it can alleviate pain, restore function, and lead to an improved quality of life. Physical therapy accelerates recovery by restoring motion and flexibility, easing pain, improving strength, balance, gait, and ultimately results in better long term outcomes following surgery.

Knee Arthroscopy (scope):
Knee arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that allows surgeons to view the knee joint without making a large incision (cut) through the skin and other soft tissues. This results in less pain and stiffness for patients, and often shortens the time it takes to recover and return to favorite activities. Arthroscopy is used to diagnose and treat a wide range of pathologic knee conditions.

After surgery, you will be eager to race down the road to recovery. However, doing too much too soon can be counterproductive. There are things you can start doing right away to get on the right track. Getting up and walking regularly will improve circulation and prevent the formation of blood clots. Try walking for at least 5 minutes, once per hour.

Sticking to your program will speed up your rehabilitation process, but knowing which activities to avoid can be just as important! Stay away from any activity that could result in putting pressure on your knee, twisting movements, or anything that presents a risk of falling.

In addition to walking, you will soon be able to start working on the exercises prescribed by your physical therapist. Closely following your rehab program can reduce the amount of time that it takes to make a full recovery. It will be important to know; how long should you wait before doing knee exercises?

This varies with each type of shoulder surgery and the cumulative damage was repaired in the process. Your surgical team will likely have recommendations for you. However, it’s not uncommon to start physical therapy the within days of your surgery to speed up your recovery, help with pain relief, and work as an educational resource as you maneuver through the recovery process.

Doing the correct exercises after knee surgery will help your body to heal properly. This is an essential part of the process to get back your range of motion. Your physical therapist will work with you to create a program of exercises to fit your specific needs.

We can’t give you a custom plan for the best knee exercises in this post because every person’s situation is different. But, we can share some of our most frequently recommended post knee surgery exercises.

If you need an individualized rehab plan using physical therapy in Mt. Pleasant MI, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!