Shoulder Arthroscopy

Acromioplasty/Mumford

Day 1: The Day of Surgery

You will start exercises in the recovery room. When home, maintain dressing. You may add 4x4 bandages if needed for drainage through dressing. Apply ice pack for 20 minute periods throughout the day. Take care to avoid ice for too long. Prolonged ice to the skin can cause frost bite.

Move your fingers and wrist often. Expect some swelling. If the color of your arm or hand changes, or sensation changes notify the physician. Start pendulum and wall walk (see list) exercises tonight.

** Most patients find sleeping semi-upright is more comfortable the first few days after shoulder surgery. A reclining chair is often most comfortable.

DAY 2: The Day after Surgery

The same as day 1.

DAY 3: (48 hours post-operatively)

Resume same activities as the surgical day: use ice for 20 min. periods as needed. Continue gripping exercises, and be sure to move your wrist and fingers frequently. Take your dressing off and shower today. In the shower; support the affected arm with the opposite hand. In the shower; begin to flex and extend your elbow. You should move the arm freely in the shower. You may wash under the arm, but do not use a large amount of soap. Too much soap may dry out the skin and cause a rash. After your shower, dry the shoulder well and place Band-aids over incisions. Physical therapy usually begins today. It is a key part of your post op care. Continue the therapy program, each week they will be adding to your home program based on your individual progress

**Now, your arm sling is for comfort only, use it only as needed and when in a crowded place (this will warn people to avoid your injured area). Do your elbow, wrist, and hand exercises at least two other times each day – 15 Reps.

DAY 4 – 10:

Change Band-aids daily or as needed. Maintain sling use for comfort. Continue with exercises as directed. Add Biceps curls and increase the circle size when doing the Pendulum exercises.

DAY 7 – 10:

Visit with the doctor. Further instructions will be given to continue your rehabilitation and recovery. Depending on what type of surgery you had and you own recovery rate, physical therapy will start 3 days after surgery.

EXERCISES: Do Three times each day as directed

Elbow Range of Motion

The palm should be turned inward, towards your stomach.

Flex and extend the elbow as comfort allows. This will decrease pain and prevent elbow stiffness.

Grip Strengthening

Use a sponge, when in the shower, let it fill up with water and squeeze. Do 3-5 sets of 20 repetitions. When not in the shower, use a grip strengthener or small rubber ball.

Wrist Range of Motion

Roll your wrist in circles for 30 seconds after each round of grip exercises.

Pendulum Exercises

Holding the side of a table with your good arm, bend over at the waist, and let the affected arm hang down. Swing the arm back and forth like a pendulum. Then in small circles and slowly make them larger. Do this for a minute or two at a time, rest, then repeat, for a total of 5 minutes, 3 times a day.

Wall Walking

Stand facing a blank wall, with your feet about 12 inches away. “Walk” the fingers of the affected hand up the wall as high as comfort allows. Mark the spot and try to go higher next time. Do at least 10 repetitions, 3 times per day. Also do this exercise sideways, with the affected side facing the wall.

Biceps Curl

Using a small can of soup to start, curl the arm up and down 12 times. Rest for one minute and repeat for a total of 3 sets of 12. Increase can size as comfort allows.

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