Post-operative Exercises

The information on this page should be used to support the information that your physiotherapist has already discussed with you. If in doubt, please discuss further with your physiotherapist.

If you click on the photos you can see a video of how to perform the exercise.

Keeping your elbow, wrist and hand moving

Bend and straighten your elbow

Position
Sitting or standing.

How to perform the exercise
With assistance from your non-operated arm fully bend and straighten your elbow.

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Flex and extend your wrist

Position
Sitting or standing.

How to perform the exercise
With assistance from your non-operated arm fully bend and straighten your wrist.

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Make a fist then extend your fingers

Position
Sitting or standing.

How to perform the exercise
Make a fist with your hand and then release and stretch your fingers widely.

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Starting to move your shoulder

Table slides with assistance - forwards

Position
Sitting or standing.

How to perform the exercise
1)Place a towel or cloth on a table/ worktop as shown in the photo.
2) Place your operated arm on top of the cloth (as shown in the potos), and with full assistance form your non-operated arm, slide it forwards and backwards.
3) If you prefer the standing position, with full assistance from your non-operated arm, slide your operated arm up and down a door.
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Tables slides with assistance - sideways

Position
Sitting or standing.

How to perform the exercise
1) Rest the forearm of your operated arm on a table/ worktop. Bend your elbow and keep it close to your body. Hold the pole with your hands facing down and keep your wrists in a neutral position.
2) With full assistance from your non-operated arm and a pole (a broom handle for example), slide your operated arm out to the side and then back.
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Continuing to move your shoulder

Elevating your shoulder forwards

Position
Sitting or standing.

How to perform the exercise
With full assistance from your non-operated arm hold your operated arm on the wrist and raise it upwards, as far as you feel able, and then back down to your side.
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Elevating your shoulder sideways

Position
Sitting or standing.

How to perform the exercise
With full assistance from your non-operated arm and a pole (a broom handle for example), raise your operated arm out to the side, as far as you feel able, and then back down to your side. Hold the pole with your hands facing down.
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Rotating your shoulder outwards

Position
Sitting or standing.

How to perform the exercise
With full assistance from your non-operated arm and a pole (a broom handle for example), rotate your operated arm out to the side, as far as you feel able, and then back to your side. Hold the pole with the hand from your operated arm facing up and the non-operated arm facing down.

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Progressing the movement of your shoulder

Elevating your shoulder forwards

Position
Sitting or standing.

How to perform the exercise
With full assistance from your non-operated arm hold your operated arm on the wrist and raise it upwards, as far as you feel able, and then back down to your side.
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Elevating your shoulder sideways

Position
Sitting or standing.

How to perform the exercise
With full assistance from your non-operated arm and a pole (a broom handle for example), raise your operated arm out to the side, as far as you feel able, and then back down to your side. Hold the pole with your hands facing down.
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Rotating your shoulder outwards

Position
Sitting or standing.

How to perform the exercise
With full assistance from your non-operated arm and a pole (a broom handle for example), rotate your operated arm out to the side, as far as you feel able, and then back to your side. Hold the pole with the hand from your operated arm facing up and the non-operated arm facing down.

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Reaching behind your back

Position
Sitting or standing.

How to perform the exercise
This photo illustrates the exercise for the right shoulder.
With some assistance from your non-operated arm and a pole (a broom handle for example). Hold the pole with the hand from your operated arm facing backwards and the non-operated arm facing forwards. Rotate your operated arm as if you were trying to reach behind your back, as far as you feel able, and then back to your side.

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Continuing to progress the movement of your shoulder

Elevating your shoulder forwards

Position
Sitting or standing.

How to perform the exercise
Raise your operated arm upwards, as far as you feel able, and then back down to your side.
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Elevating your shoulder sideways

Position
Sitting or standing.

How to perform the exercise
Raise your operated arm out to the side, as far as you feel able, and then back down to your side.
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Rotating your shoulder outwards

Position
Sitting or standing.

How to perform the exercise
Rotate your operated arm out to the side, as far as you feel able, and then back to your side.

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Reaching behind your back

Position
Sitting or standing.

How to perform the exercise
Rotate your operated arm as if you were trying to reach behind your back, as far as you feel able, and then back to your side.
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Regaining the strength of your shoulder

Strength - forwards

Position
Sitting or standing with your operated arm by your side.

How to perform the exercise
1) Push forwards against your non-operated arm as you feel able. Hold for one second, then relax.
2) Your operated arm should not move; the non-operated arm should resist any movement.
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Strength - sideways

Position
Sitting or standing with your operated arm by your side.

How to perform the exercise
1) Push out to the side against your non-operated arm as you feel able. Hold for one second, then relax.
2) Your operated arm should not move; the non-operated arm should resist any movement.
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Strength - backwards

Position
Sitting or standing.

How to perform the exercise
1) Push backwards against a wall or other secure object as you feel able. Hold for one second, then relax.
2) Your operated arm should not move; the non-operated arm should resist any movement.

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Strength - rotating inwards

Position
Sitting or standing.

How to perform the exercise
1) Rotate your operated arm inwards against your non-operated arm as you feel able. Hold for one second, then relax.
2) Your operated arm should not move; the non-operated arm should resist any movement.
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Strength - rotating outwards

Position
Sitting or standing.

How to perform the exercise
1) Rotate your operated arm outwards against your non-operated arm as you feel able. Hold for one second, then relax.
2) Your operated arm should not move; the non-operated arm should resist any movement.
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Progressing the strength of your shoulder

Strength - forwards

Position
1) Sitting or standing with your operated arm by your side.
2) Step on the elastic band to hold it securely.

How to perform the exercise
1) Hold the resistance band with your operated arm and take it forwards, stretching the band, as you feel able.
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Strength - sideways

Position
1) Sitting or standing with your operated arm by your side.
2) Step on the elastic band to hold it securely.

How to perform the exercise
Hold the resisted band with your operated arm and lift out to the side, stretching the band, as you feel able.
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Strength - backwards

Position
1) Sitting or standing with your operated arm by your side.
2) Step on the elastic band to hold it securely.

How to perform the exercise
1) Hold the resistance band with your operated arm and lift backwards, stretching the band, as you feel able.

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Strength - rotating inwards

Position
1) Sitting or standing with your operated arm by your side and your elbow bent.
2) Secure the resistance band to a stationary object and hold the other end with your operated arm. Bend your elbow and keep it close to your body.

How to perform the exercise
1) Rotate your operated arm inwards bringing your hand close to your stomach, stretching the band, as you feel able.
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Strength - rotating outwards

Position
1) Sitting or standing with your operated arm by your side.
2) Hold the resistance band with both hands bend both elbows and keep them close to your body.

How to perform the exercise
1) Rotate your operated arm outwards, stretching the band, as you feel able.
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Derby Clinical Trials Support Unit

Royal Derby Hospital, Level 4 West Building, University of Nottingham GEM School

University Hospitals of Derby & Burton NHS Foundation Trust

Uttoxeter Road, Derby, DE22 3DT

This study is funded by the NIHR HTA (Ref: 133874). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR, the Department of Health and Social Care or the NHS.

© 2023 University Hospitals of Derby & Burton NHS Foundation Trust

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