Rotator Cuff Rehabilitation

Stretching exercises

Rotator cuff rehabilitation is a series of exercises you do after your surgery. It helps you get back your shoulder's range of motion and strength. You will work with your doctor and physical therapist to plan this exercise program. To get the best results, you need to do the exercises correctly and as often as your doctor tells you.

Before you start any exercises, talk with your doctor or physical therapist. It is important that you know exactly how to do the exercises. Stop and call your doctor if you are not sure that you are doing the exercises correctly or if you have any pain. Hearing clicks and pops during exercise is not always cause for concern, but a grinding feeling may mean a more serious problem. Ice your shoulder after exercising if it is sore.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

Do not start doing stretching exercises until your doctor says you can. Your doctor will tell you which exercises to do, and how often and how long to do them.

Pendulum swing

• Hold on to a table or the back of a chair with your unaffected arm. Then bend forward a little and let your affected arm hang straight down. This exercise does not use the arm muscles. Rather, use your legs and your hips to create movement that makes your arm swing freely.
• Use the movement from your hips and legs to guide the slightly swinging arm forward and backward like a pendulum (or elephant trunk). Then guide it in circles that start small (about the size of a dinner plate). Make the circles a bit larger each day, as your pain allows.
• Do this exercise for at least 1 minute. Do it at least 3 times a day.

As you have less pain, try bending over a little farther to do this exercise. This will increase the amount of movement at your shoulder.

Shoulder extensor stretch (supported)

• Standing about an arm's length away, grasp only a solid surface. You could use a countertop or the back of a sturdy chair.
• With your knees slightly bent, bend forward with your arms straight. Lower your upper body, and let your shoulders stretch. As your shoulders are able to stretch farther, you may need to take a step or two backward as you lower your body.
• Hold for at least 15 to 30 seconds. Then stand up and relax. If you stepped back during your stretch, step forward as you stand up so you can keep your hands on the solid surface.
• Repeat 2 to 4 times.

Strength exercises

Do not start strength exercises until your doctor says you can. Usually, this is several weeks after surgery. Your doctor will tell you how often and how long to do the exercises.

Arm raises to the side

Shoulder flexion (isometric)

• Hold your affected arm against your body, and bend your elbow about 90 degrees (like the letter "L"), with your hand straight ahead. Make a closed fist, with your thumb on top.
• Face a wall, and step forward until your fist is against the wall. Your elbow should still be against your body.
• Press your fist against the wall with about half your strength or less. Don't let your body move backward as you press.
• Hold for about 6 seconds, and then relax.
• Repeat 8 to 12 times.

Shoulder extension (isometric)

• Stand with your back flat against a wall and the upper part of your affected arm against the wall. Bend your elbow about 90 degrees (like the letter "L"), with your hand straight ahead.
• Press your elbow back against the wall with about half your strength or less. Don't let your body move forward as you press.
• Hold for about 6 seconds, and then relax.
• Repeat 8 to 12 times.