Patient/caregiver was instructed regarding excercises to help prepare shoulder joint replacement surgery as follows:

  • Pain in the joint can be a deterrent for participation in the exercise schedule. Taking a pain medication 30 minutes before the exercise schedule can help with better pain control and improved compliance with therapy.
  • Placing an ice pack on the shoulder joint for 30 minutes before and after the therapy session can add to control of pain and swelling in the joint.
  • These sets of exercises to stretch and relax the shoulder are to be performed 3 – 4 times every day. Fix scheduled time slots during your day to perform your shoulder exercises. Compliance with these exercises before surgery can help individuals have an easier and faster recovery from the shoulder replacement surgery.
  • Based on the condition of the shoulder and other coexisting factors, limitations could be recommended on performance of some exercises in some individuals. Check with your physician and therapist for any limitations recommended before performing these exercises.
  • Shoulder internal rotation exercises:
  1. Stand straight with your hands turned on to your back and palms facing backward.
  2. Hold a cane with your hands closest possible. This is the start point of this exercise. From this position, lift the cane in your hands further up.
  3. Lift the cane straight up until you experience some stiffness, limitation, or discomfort in the affected shoulder joint.
  4. Once you experience the stiffness or discomfort in the shoulder joint to be exercised, hold the cane in this position for a count of 5, and relax by bringing both the arms to the start point.
  5. Repeat the task for 20 times on each set of arm exercises, for a total of 3 sets a day.
  • Anterior elevation exercises:
  1. This exercise can be performed by having the affected arm out of the sling and resting it on a supportive pillow laying on to your side.  Have the arm bent at 90 degrees near the elbow.
  2. Holding the wrist of the affected arm with the good hand, elevate the affected arm straight up.
  3. Pull the affected arm over the head with the help of good arm, until you experience some stiffness, limitation, or discomfort in the affected shoulder joint.
  4. You can also perform this exercise by standing up against a wall and sliding the hand of the affected arm up on the wall slowly, until you experience some stiffness, limitation, or discomfort in the affected shoulder joint.
  5. You can choose to support the affected arm with the good arm, by supporting the elbow of the affected arm sliding up against the wall with the hand of good arm.
  6. Once you experience the stiffness or discomfort in the affected shoulder joint, hold the arm in this position for a count of 5, and relax by bringing the arm to the start position on to the supportive pillow.
  7. Repeat the task for 20 times on each set of arm exercises, for a total of 3 sets a day.
  • Crossarm stretch:
  1. This exercise can be performed by having the affected arm out of the sling and stand upright with your arms on your sides.
  2. Then cross over your body with the unaffected arm and hold the affected arm behind the elbow. This is the start point of this exercise.
  3. From this position, try crossing over the affected arm over the chest to the other side by pulling the elbow of the affected arm with the unaffected.
  4. While doing this, try not to bend the affected arm and keep it straight. Cross the affected arm over the chest until you experience some stiffness, limitation, or discomfort.
  5. Once you experience the stiffness or discomfort in the affected arm, hold the limb in this position for a count of 5, and relax by bringing both the arms to the start point.
  6. Repeat the task for 20 times on each set of arm exercises, for a total of 3 sets a day.