Never perform exercises if any pain arises

From the 4th to 35th day




From the 36th to 56th day




From the 57 day

To get the complete "postoperative" rehabilitation protocol see the page Contatcts

What you are going to read is a rehabilitation protocol aiming at regaining the normal movement of your shoulder and an effective muscle strength. This is proposed to patients who have undergone rotator cuff plastic surgery and those affected with adhesive capsulitis and tendinopathy.

The rehabilitation cycle has been divided into phases and some illustrations have been added to make it easier to learn these exercises that need anyway to be prepared by a rehabilitation therapist and periodically checked by an orthopedician. This page contains some examples of these exercises.

Every exercise is formed by three sets, each set is made up of 10 repetitions. However, remember to immediately rest whenever pain appears. Every phase is subject to changes according to its own characteristics, the category (postoperated subjects, patients with capsulitis and tendinopathy ) and the patient.

For the postoperated during the bracing period a series of exercises must be performed to decrease pain and joint rigidity followed by a self-assisted mobilization phase, muscle strength recovery and proprioception.

For capsulitis at the fourth week the patient must undergo an orthopedic check. Muscle strengthening phase starts in case of recovery of range of motion. Otherwise the first series of exercises must be repeated.

For tendinopathies the patient must firstly regain range of motion in all planes passively with absolute pain respect and only secondly actively.

Rationale for postsurgical treatment

• Decreased pain and inflammation
• 4 week brace protection
• Suture protection with respect to range of motion
• Passive and self-assisted passive kinesis
• Elbow adduction

The number of sets and repetitions is susceptible to changes and is prescribed by the surgeon

Rationale for impingement and tendinopathy

• Maintenance of range of motion
• Posterior capsular stretching
• Scapulothoracic strengthening

Rationale for adhesive capsulitis

• Progressive recovery of range of motion
• Capsular stretching in all planes
• Scapulothoracic strengthening

Rationale for postsurgical treatment

• Progressive muscle strengthening only in case of effective passive range of motion.

Rationale for impingement and tendinopathy

• Maintenance of range of motion
• Deltoid and cuff muscle strengthening
• Capsular stretching

Rationale for adhesive capsulitis

• Continuous recovery of range of motion
• Capsular stretching

Rationale for postsurgical treatment

• Isotonic progressive muscle strengthening of the cuff, the scapulothoracic muscles and the deltoid.
  This phase starts only in case of effective range of motion

Rationale for impingement and tendinopathy

• Maintenance of range of motion
• Deltoid and cuff muscle strengthening
• Capsular stretching

Rationale for adhesive capsulitis

• Progressive cuff strengthening in case of sufficient range of motion.

Once your shoulder is healed and can move freely your task will be to keep it in this state.
Here are some useful advice:

• avoid to work overhead for long periods
• do not lift too heavy objects
• lift and carry objects keeping them close to your body with the elbow of the damaged arm bent and not straight;
• do not read or watch TV leaning on the affected arm
• if your shoulder is painful do not lean your arm on the car door while driving
• avoid to sleep on your operated shoulder
• keep moving your arm ; every 30 minutes move your shoulder in all directions

We suggest you:

• to follow the rehabilitation protocol advised by the specialist
• to rely on a rehabilitation expert
• to ask for a home-based program
• not to perform exercises if pain arises
• not to anticipate recovery times
• not to become demoralized if a mild discomfort appears during the strength recovery phase