Frozen shoulder repair rehab protocol
0 - 2 Weeks:
- Sling allowed as needed for comfort only, first 5 - 7 days, taking arm out often 5 - 7 times a day for elbow ROM
- Posture education and postural exercises
- Ball or putty squeezing throughout the day
- Icing every two hours for 15 - 20 minutes first 5 - 7 days, 3 times a day thereafter
- CPM (continuous passive motion) machine 4 - 6 hours per day for 1 - 4 weeks
- Soft tissue mobilization focused on periscapular musculature, cervical spine, and rotator cuff
- Scapular mobilization
- Passive and active assisted ROM manually and using pulley at home going for full motion as soon as able without increased irritability
- Cardiovascular training program can include bike, treadmill, versa climber, UBE
- Core stabilization program
2 - 4 Weeks:
- Full passive range of motion should be achieved by 2 - 4 weeks
- Scapular and glenohumeral joint mobilization as indicated
- Begin rotator cuff retraining and strengthening, focus on restoring proper biomechanics
- Integration of involved shoulder through bilateral UE activity and total motion training (full body movements using both upper and lower extremities)
- Continued cardiovascular and core strength training
- Continued icing 3 times per day
4 - 8 Weeks:
- Progressive strength training contingent upon perfect biomechanics
- Development of independent home and gym program
- Okay to return to swimming with good mechanics after 6 weeks
8 - 10 Weeks:
- Progression into normal activity and exercise program
- Patient discharged with life-long home maintenance program to include daily ROM exercises, rotator cuff program, and cardiovascular program
NOTE
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.