| Sling | When will I go home? | What can I do? | What can’t I do? |
| 4 weeks | You will be discharged on the day after the operation | Range of movement within safe zone* | No weight bearing through arm, no forced movements. No lifting |
Acute phase (0-4 weeks)
Goals
- Pain control
- Protect the shoulder replacement
- Re-educate optimal deltoid function
Rehabilitation
- *Safe zone: commence passive range of movement to maximum 90° elevation, 30° external rotation
- Progress to active assisted and support range of movement within this safe zone
- No combined external rotation/abduction
- No extension
- No hand behind back
- External rotation control exercises
- Scapular setting exercises
- Optimise deltoid function
- Criteria for progression
- Pain controlled
- Deltoid function
Intermediate phase (4-12 weeks)
Goals
- Restoration of active range of movement
- Continue to optimise deltoid function
- Optimise dynamic control through range
Rehabilitation
- Progress range of movement
- Progress cuff compensation program (ie. deltoid)
- Progress rotational exercises
- Scapular control through range
- Scapular dissociation/mobility exercises
- Functional extension and hand behind back exercises
- Hydrotherapy permitted
Criteria for progression
- Pain controlled functional range of movement
- Quality of movement pattern
- Deltoid function through range
- Active external rotation control
Late phase (>12 weeks)
Goals
- Rehabilitate functional specific strength and endurance
- Aid functional independence
Rehabilitation
- Function specific strength and endurance
- Loaded exercises (eccentric & concentric)
- Internal and external rotation resistance exercises
- Functional movement pattern re-education
- Institute home exercise program (for maximum improvement may take up to 2 years to achieve)
Guidelines for return to functional activities
| Driving | Lifting | Swimming | Golf |
| 6 weeks | Light lifting 6 weeks, avoid heavy until 6 months | Breaststroke 8 weeks, freestyle 12 weeks | 4 months |
