Patient PortalRequest an Appointment

Shoulder Pain After Surgery: Relief Through Physical Therapy

Pushing your grandchild on the swing. Playing a round of golf. Raking the fall leaves.  Our shoulders make it possible for us to enjoy all sorts of activities. But sometimes, repetitive movement or an injury can bring about the need for shoulder surgery, including a sometimes painful recovery period. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain after surgery, relief is possible. Keep reading to find out how physical therapy can help to speed up your recovery and relieve post-surgery shoulder pain.

Table of Contents

Common Types of Shoulder Surgeries

Your shoulder is made up of three bones, two joints, several tendons, and some muscles. It comes as no surprise that with so many moving parts, multiple types of injuries can occur, along with a variety of surgeries to correct them. Some of the most common shoulder surgeries include: 

  • Shoulder arthroscopy 
  • Rotator cuff repair surgery
  • Reverse shoulder replacement surgery
  • Total shoulder joint replacement
  • Fracture repair
  • Torn labrum surgery
  • Shoulder arthritis treatment 

The amount of shoulder pain you experience post-surgery will depend on the type of surgery you undergo, such as:

  • Joint replacement
  • Repair
  • Clean-up (such as arthroscopy)

How Long Does Shoulder Pain Last After Surgery?

The duration of shoulder pain after shoulder surgery varies from person to person and depends on the individual and the type of surgery that was performed.

Shoulder Pain After Surgery Relief: What Can You Do at Home for the Best Pain Relief After Shoulder Surgery?

Once your shoulder surgery is over, your top priorities are pain relief and making a quick recovery.  This is where physical therapy can make a world of difference. The physical therapists at PRO~PT are experts when it comes to helping you find the best pain relief after shoulder surgery and getting you on the fast track to returning to your normal way of life. Below are some of our top shoulder surgery recovery tips to help make your recovery as fast as possible.

#1: Implement the P.O.L.I.C.E. Principle

The P.O.L.I.C.E. Principle is a simple first aid method for treating musculoskeletal injuries. P.O.L.I.C.E. is an acronym that stands for:

  • Protection
  • Optimal 
  • Loading
  • Ice
  • Compression
  • Elevation

If you’re experiencing shoulder pain after surgery, relief may be found by implementing the P.O.L.I.C.E. Principle.

“P” Is for Protection

In the first few days following your surgery, it is important that you rest your shoulder and immobilize the injured muscle, ligament, or joint.  In order to give your shoulder the protection it needs, you may be sent home from the hospital in a sling.  Not only does a sling provide support and stability, but it also serves as a great reminder for you not to move your arm, although rotating your wrist and wiggling your fingers are generally okay.

“O and L” Are for Optimal Loading

Next comes optimal loading.  Optimal loading refers to the gentle movements that you can start while you are still in the Protection phase of the P.O.L.I.C.E. Principal. After you have rested your shoulder for a few days following surgery, you should be able to begin a series of progressive exercises, including:

  • Passive range of motion 
  • Active range of motion
  • Strengthening

This progressive loading of your repaired injury helps:

  • Promote healing;
  • Get your shoulder back to normal by preventing joint and muscle tightness or loss of muscle mass.

“I” Is for Ice

Ice is a critical component of after shoulder surgery pain relief. Applying ice to your shoulder will help to manage any swelling around your injured muscle or joint. Ice also helps decrease some of the acute post-surgical pain you may experience.  It’s important to wrap ice and cold packs in a soft cloth or towel to keep them from coming into direct contact with your bare skin.

“C” Is for Compression

Next on the list is compression. This can be done in tandem with ice. For example, you can wrap your shoulder with an ACE bandage for compression prior to applying your ice pack.

“E” Is for Elevation

Finally, let’s talk elevation. While elevation is a simple concept for some body parts, elevating a recovering shoulder can be a little tricky. One of the easiest ways to elevate your shoulder is to place pillows underneath it.  Prop yourself up as comfortably as possible and try to keep your shoulder above your heart.

#3: Sleep Carefully

Finding a comfortable sleeping position following shoulder surgery can be much easier said than done. Here are a few post-surgery sleeping tips to help make it easier:

  • Wear your sling even when you are sleeping. You will keep your shoulder protected while also preventing any unnecessary movement.
  • Sleep sitting up in a recliner or gravity chair.
  • Try sleeping on your “good side” to keep pressure off of your affected shoulder.
  • Use pillows to prop yourself into a somewhat upright position.
  • Lie flat on your back to sleep, with a pillow under your shoulder.
  • Put a few pillows behind your back so you don’t roll backward onto your recovering shoulder. Another idea is to place something underneath your mattress to make it tilt slightly.
  • Keep your shoulder elevated by placing pillows underneath it. Not only will you have less swelling, but the pillows will prevent you from accidentally turning onto your sore shoulder.

#4: Do Your Exercises: Top 3 Exercises for the Best Pain Relief After Shoulder Surgery

One of the best things you can do to help your shoulder heal properly and provide after shoulder surgery pain relief is to visit your physical therapist to learn a few post-op shoulder exercises. These simple exercises will go a long way towards:

  • Restoring your range of motion
  • Improving flexibility to your shoulder
  • Helping you gradually return to your everyday activities

As you are working through these exercises, you will want to breathe normally and try to use smooth, fluid movements.  Be sure to attempt these exercises only after receiving the green light to start exercising from your physical therapist or your physician.

#1 Pendulum

The shoulder pendulum exercise has multiple benefits. For starters, it’s a passive exercise.  A 2016 study revealed that pendulum exercises result only in a very small amount of muscle activity.  That means that as you perform the exercise, there is very little contraction of the muscles surrounding the shoulder, which makes it a great choice for shoulder pain after surgery relief. Additional benefits of the shoulder pendulum include:

  • Maintaining mobility of the joint capsule and the rotator cuff
  • Providing shoulder pain after surgery relief
  • Preserving the range of motion in the shoulder joint
  • Preventing shoulder stiffness
  • Increasing the blood flow to the shoulder joint

How to do shoulder pendulums:

  1. Lean over, supporting your good arm on a chair or table
  2. Relax the arm on the side of your injured shoulder, letting it hang straight down
  3. Slowly begin swinging the relaxed arm
  4. Move the arm in a small circle for around 1 minute, gradually expanding the size of the circle, if you are able
  5. Next, reverse the direction of the circle
  6. Then move it backward and forward
  7. Finally, move the arm side to side

Repeat the exercise 3 times each day, for about 5 minutes each time.

#2 Shoulder Shrugs

Shoulder shrugs are a great exercise for strengthening your shoulder muscles and upper arms. Since they work your trapezius muscles, shoulder shrugs help:

  • Pull your shoulders back
  • Control the movement of your shoulder blades
  • Stabilize your neck and upper back

How to do shoulder shrugs:

  1. Pace your feet flat on the floor, shoulder-width apart.
  2. Place your arms at your sides, with your palms facing each other.
  3. Slightly bend your knees so that they line up with your toes.
  4. Keep your chin up, your neck straight, and look straight ahead.
  5. Slowly inhale, bringing your shoulders up as close to your ears as you can. You should feel the resistance of your muscles.
  6. Slowly lower your shoulders back down, exhaling deeply before repeating the movement.

 Do three sets of 10.

#3 Shoulder Abduction

Shoulder abduction exercises work the muscles at the back of the shoulder and across the upper back. These muscles help support your shoulder and keep your shoulder stable.  How to do shoulder abduction exercises: 

  1. Place a small cushion between the side of your chest and your arm, a little below your armpit.
  2. Slowly squeeze the pillow, pressing your elbow into the side of your chest.
  3. Hold for 10 seconds.
  4. Slowly release the pressure, relaxing your arms.

Repeat this exercise 10 times.

The Licensed Physical Therapists at Pro~PT Are Here to Help With Shoulder Pain After Surgery Relief

Whether you are recovering from shoulder surgery or training for a 5-K, the licensed physical therapists at PRO~PT can help. We’ll work with you to customize a treatment plan specific to your condition and your goals. Our treatments go beyond the examination table. Our physical therapists specialize in improving your mobility and strengthening your shoulder muscles so that you won’t have to worry about reinjury. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment.

Categories: ExercisesShoulder ProblemsTreatments• May 23, 2021