Staying Strong After Shoulder Replacement Surgery

Shoulder replacement surgery can restore mobility and strength, and reduce chronic pain, but recovery requires careful planning with several medical teams. As part of each patient’s post-surgery recovery, orthopedic surgery teams work closely with physical therapists and other specialty providers as needed to ensure they are building the strength and mobility they need to return to everyday life. This includes strengthening the muscles and tendons around the joint that was replaced, while maintaining the health of the rest of the body.

We asked Rami Elshaar, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and Medical Director of Shoulder Surgery at Rochester General Hospital, about methods for preparing for shoulder replacement surgery, maintaining upper body strength after surgery, and how our orthopedic surgery teams help patients recover.

Before surgery: Preparing for a shoulder replacement

It is vital to a patient’s recovery to strengthen and condition their lower body before surgery. You will not be using your shoulder for 6 weeks, so your legs, glutes, and core will have to do the heavy lifting. Strengthening these muscles will help to compensate for the lack of movement in your shoulder.

To build up leg strength before shoulder surgery, Dr. Elshaar suggests working on simple tasks – specifically getting out of a chair or couch without using the affected or painful arm to simulate being in a sling for 6 weeks after surgery. Doing body squats, a seated squat, or simply practicing getting in and out of a chair before shoulder surgery can help build up strength in the glutes, quads, and calves.

Think about the daily tasks that require moving your shoulder or putting pressure on your shoulder, then consider what parts of your body you need to use instead of using your shoulder.

For your shoulder itself, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends some exercises to help with conditioning and flexibility, many of which can be done at home without any special equipment.

At Rochester Regional Health, before a patient’s shoulder replacement surgery, each patient will meet with their surgical team to create a personalized care plan that details what to expect for the surgery and recovery process.

After surgery: What to expect

Weeks 1-6

Our orthopedic surgery teams have a strong collaborative relationship with the physical and occupational therapy teams and work together to help patients regain their mobility and strength in their shoulder and upper body.

The day after surgery, an occupational therapist will come out to your house to ensure you are doing well at home and are safely performing daily tasks.

“To ensure there is no harm to your replacement, we strongly recommend patients avoid using their operative arm to brace themselves or apply any significant force for the initial six-week period after surgery,” Dr. Elshaar said. “This includes motions such as pushing yourself out of a chair.”

6+ weeks post-surgery

Once shoulder replacement patients are six weeks past their surgery date, are no longer immobilized and the sling comes off, they are referred to outpatient physical therapy to start working on building their range of motion, strength, and control.

Typically, shoulder patients can start lifting more weights and getting back to workouts within 3-4 months. Your therapist will guide you through exercises tailored to your recovery and pace.

During this time, here are some things to consider:

• Avoid pain: If any particular exercises cause pain, do not continue. You don’t want to set yourself back by doing too much too early. Slow and steady progress makes for a strong, long-term recovery.

• Take your time: Recovery is a process. Consistency and gradually building back up your strength and mobility is the best strategy you can embrace to having a long-lasting, strong recovery.

• Talk with your team: Physical therapists are a vital part of each patient’s recovery. They offer guidance on which exercises and movements will help you recover, regain mobility, and strengthen your whole body.

“Recovering from shoulder replacement surgery takes less time than a rotator cuff repair surgery. Within 3-4 months, shoulder replacement patients have significant improvements in their outcomes,” Dr. Elshaar suggests.

Stay connected with your care team

If something doesn’t feel right, or you are ready to take your recovery to the next level, check with your physical and/or occupational therapist to make sure you are on the right track. They will help you modify your plan safely without risking a setback.

Our orthopedic surgeons, including Dr. Elshaar, have performed hundreds of shoulder replacement surgeries. While joint replacement surgery seems daunting to patients before they go through it, the result is worth it.

“I can confidently say, once shoulder replacement surgery patients begin to recover and see the improvement in their daily lives, they are among my happiest patients,” Dr. Elshaar said. “I truly enjoy shoulder replacement surgery in part due to the life-changing effect it can have for people.”