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.
  • Fist pump exercises:
  1. Pain and swelling in the shoulder joint in individuals with arthritis of the shoulder joint could limit the mobility and range of motion in the joint. Consequently, blood tends to pool in the deep veins of the limb and increase risk for clot formation.
  2. Fist pump exercises are important to keep the blood moving up along the veins in upper extremities, prevent pooling of blood in the limb, and thus prevent formation of clots.
  3. This exercise also helps with improving the grip strength in the arm affected. You can perform this exercise in either sitting up or laying down in bed.
  4. Pump the fist by closing it tightly for a count of 5 and relaxing it.
  5. You can also try squeezing a rubber ball tightly for a count of 5 and relaxing it. Repeat the task for 20 times every hour.
  6. Observe compliance with practicing the recommended number of fist pumps every day to help keep the blood moving.
  • Shoulder circles:
  1. This exercise helps as a warm-up before performing any stretches or exercises on the shoulder.
  2. Sit relaxed and gently move just your shoulders up & forward, then down & backward, thus completing a circle in forward direction.
  3. After performing 10 circular movements in this direction, you can reverse the direction by gently moving just your shoulders down & backward, then up & forward, thus completing a circle in backward direction.
  4. Perform 10 circular movements in backward direction too. Repeat the task for 10 times on each set of arm exercises, for a total of 3 sets a day.
  • Chest expansion:
  1. Poor posture of the chest with rounded shoulders can add stress on the shoulders resulting in pain.
  2. Expansion of chest with shoulders spread wide apart can help relieve the stress on the affected shoulder, aiding in pain relief. Stand upright with your arms on your sides. Slowly take both your hands towards your back and clasp them tight.
  3. This is the start point of this exercise. From this position, try moving your clasped hands in a downward and backward direction, until you meet some stiffness or discomfort in the affected shoulder.
  4. While moving your clasped hands, simultaneously try puffing your chest up and forward.
  5. Once you experience the stiffness or discomfort in the affected shoulder, hold the position for a count of 5, and relax by bringing both the arms and chest to the start point.
  6. Repeat the task for 20 times on each set of exercises, for a total of 3 sets a day.