Recovering After Shoulder Surgery

Anatomic and reverse shoulder replacement

1. Weeks 0–4: protect the shoulder. Wear your sling or shoulder immobilizer for the first 4 weeks. Gentle passive shoulder motion is encouraged within your prescribed limits.
2. Physical therapy starts within 1 week. Attend once a week while in the sling, focusing on passive motion to help prevent stiffness. After 4 weeks, Dr. Haber generally recommends physical therapy twice a week until your motion goals are met.
3. After 4 weeks: begin gentle active motion. When cleared to come out of the sling, begin moving the shoulder with your own muscles and using the arm for simple daily tasks. Keep lifting and loading through the arm limited to approximately 3–5 pounds.
4. Following months: rebuild movement and strength. Gradually improve motion and smooth, controlled shoulder movement, then build strength with your therapist’s guidance.
5. Around 4.5–6 months: return to approved activities. Return to golf, pickleball, skiing and other activities is gradual and requires clearance based on healing, motion, strength and your specific surgery. Contact sports and repetitive heavy lifting may remain restricted after replacement; discuss long-term activity limits with Dr. Haber.

Anatomic replacement · Reverse replacement

Rotator cuff repair

1. First 4–6 weeks: sling protection and passive motion. Sling duration depends on the size and type of repair. Large, massive or revision repairs may require longer protection or slower progression. Follow your assigned protocol for sling use and permitted passive motion.
2. Physical therapy starts within 1 week. Early sessions focus on passive motion while you wear the sling. Once it is removed, attend physical therapy twice a week to work toward full active shoulder motion.
3. When the sling comes off: begin active motion and simple daily tasks. Limit lifting and loading through the arm to approximately 3–5 pounds. Avoid lifting with the arm outstretched.
4. Through about 4 months: prioritize motion and endurance. Work toward full active motion and smooth shoulder movement, aiming to match the other shoulder. Build control and muscular endurance with your therapist’s prescribed exercises before progressing to strengthening.
5. Around 4 months: begin strengthening. Progress shoulder strengthening as healing, motion and your care team’s assessment allow.
6. Around 6 months and beyond: return gradually. A gradual return to full activity often occurs around 6 months or later, with clearance from your care team. Strength, comfort and function may continue to improve for up to a year.

Learn about rotator cuff repair →

Biceps tenodesis without a cuff repair

• First 2 weeks: use a sling to protect the shoulder after an isolated biceps tenodesis.
• Until 6 weeks: protect the biceps attachment. Do not progress to full biceps effort or put weight through the arm before the 6-week point and clearance from your care team. Your protocol specifies which elbow movements and exercises are allowed.
• If another repair is performed: these timings apply only to biceps tenodesis without a rotator cuff repair. A combined cuff or labral repair follows the restrictions for the full operation.

Learn about biceps tenodesis →

Labral repair for instability or a SLAP tear

• First 4–6 weeks: wear the sling or shoulder immobilizer to protect the labral repair.
• Physical therapy may begin within 1 week: use passive shoulder motion only, within the limits of your repair.
• After the sling is removed: begin active shoulder motion and attend physical therapy twice a week, progressing according to your protocol.
• Return to sport: rebuild motion, control and strength before sport-specific progression. Clearance depends on healing, shoulder stability and the demands of your sport.

Shoulder instability · SLAP repair