Physio after shoulder arthroscopy

Hi all,

If possible I would like your advice as to whether I am rehabilitating correctly...

2 weeks ago today I had arthroscopic stabilization of my shoulder following an initial traumatic dislocation over a year ago -and many subsequent dislocations. The surgeon said he repaired a 'large HAGL lesion' and that I had a Hills Sachs...

Before being discharged from hospital I had a visit from a physio who told me to do very gentle, very slow, supported movements of the shoulder (flexion & abduction) & elbow/hand exercises. After a week I went back for another appt - and the physio has me doing :

- pendular exercises (which I find 'clunky')
- Isometric rotator cuff exercises
- active assisted exercises

I know I probably shouldnt look - but I have been browsing the web to see how other people have been advised to rehab, and there seems to be a lot of conflicting advice out there. I really want to give the repair the best chance of healing properly....so I thought I would post here and see whether u think Im on the right track?
I seem to be getting my ROM back fairly quickly - I'm past 90 degrees flexion, external rotation and just about 90 degrees abduction...should I be pushing it past that, considering I'm only 2 weeks post-op?

Thank you for your advice

Don't push it too quickly. You don't want to stretch the repair early on, it needs some time to scar up and heal up , otherwise you will stretch the repaired area and cause possible ongoing laxity and subluxation. It sounds like what you have been given to do is the correct rehab. Normally at 6 weeks post op you can then push further into harder strengthening exercises. I know it's hard especially when it's probabyl feeling quite good, but do be patient and give it some time to heal first.....you will be pleased you did in the long term.
best of luck with rehab
Andy Schmidt
The Active Physio's Blog - Ideas and answers to common musculoskeletal health questions, from a physiotherapy/physical therapy perspective

Hi Andy, thank you very much for your response, much appreciated :D