Shoulder Arthroscopy Rehabilitation Protocol

Days 1 – 5:

Sling use
- Regularly for the first 5 - 7 days. Okay to take off at home and in controlled environments.

Positions
- Avoid moving arm directly out to the side and any rotation.
- Typically most comfortable to sleep semi-reclined with pillow under arm to support it.

Icing
- Use the cooler unit for 20 minutes on and 1 hour off as much as possible for the first few days. After the first few days, ice whenever the shoulder feels stiff, sore, or inflamed.
- Make sure to have a shirt on between the shoulder cuff/ice pack and your skin.
- It is optimal to have your arm lightly supported on a pillow or arm rest to allow ice to penetrate into the shoulder and improve blood flow.

Posture
- Always practice good postural habits (i.e. sit-up straight, have arm supported slightly away from the body when sitting or sleeping).
- When sitting and/or icing, have arm supported slightly away from the body as able, (i.e. on arm rest, supported by a pillow).
- 10 times a day, gently squeeze shoulder blades together. Hold 5 seconds and repeat 10 - 20 times.

Putty grips
- Squeeze putty or soft ball regularly throughout the day.

Elbow flexion/extension
- 10 times a day, flex and extend the elbow slowly 10 - 20 times.

Range of motion
- 1 - 2 times a day, grasp involved wrist with opposite hand and slowly lift straight in front without shrugging shoulder until tension is felt. Repeat 10 - 20 times in the most comfortable position.

Aerobic exercise
- Okay for stationary bike, stair machine without weight on arms, and walking as tolerated.
- Leg routine and abdominal/back exercises as comfortable.

NOTE: All progressions are approximations and should be used as a guideline only. Progression will be based on individual patient presentation, which is assessed throughout the treatment process.