Shoulder Stabilisation/SLAP Repair shoulder surgeon Rehabilitation guidelines

Exercises should be performed 3 x daily, 5 days per week as guided by your orthopaedic surgeon or physiotherapist

Week 0-2

Range of Motion

Active assisted shoulder flexion in sling

Avoid shoulder external rotation past neutral

Strengthening

Scapular setting focusing on lower trapezius

Proprioception

Weightbearing through a theraball with arm by side and elbow bent

Week 2-6

Sling can be weaned at home, continue to wear in the community

Range of Motion

Progress active assisted shoulder flexion to 100 degrees

External rotation to 15 degrees

Strengthening

Scapular setting

Begin isometric shoulder internal and external rotation with arm by side

Proprioception

Progress weightbearing exercises through theraball to 70 degrees flexion

Weeks 6-12

Range of Motion

Progress to full range of motion

• Strengthening for scapular stability and rotator cuff
• Continue scapular setting exercises and grip strengthening
• Scapular setting can be done prone with horizontal extension, elbow bent with weight 
• Abduction external rotation drills with arm in higher ranges of abduction ie 45, 60 then 90 degrees.
• Internal rotation strengthening in differing ranges of shoulder abduction (in the plane of the scapula)
• Progress internal and external rotation strengthening with moderate theraband

15 repetitions with x 3 sets

• Internal rotation
• External rotation
• Shoulder flexion (bent elbow)
• Shoulder extension (bent elbow)
• Biceps and triceps strengthening
• Seated rows for mid and lower trapezius strengthening
• Bent over rows
• Avoid all over head strengthening push exercise

Proprioception

Semicircles with a theraball in 90 degrees abduction/flexion

Week 12 to 6 months

Continue to progress range of motion, strength and prioprioception and incorporate functional exercises and sport specific drills as indicated by your physiotherapist. This may include

1. Plyometric training- supine with balls of differing weights throwing and catching supported by your therapist (caution this exercise should be performed just prior to return to sport under the supervision of an experienced physiotherapist as re-dislocation is a possible risk)
2. Core stability training
3. Proprioceptive retraining
   -plyometric type theraball work against a wall
   -body blade. 
4. Use of mirrors for motor recruitment retraining.
5. Theraband strengthening in the scapular plane at increasing ranges of motion.
6. Gym type scapular strengthening including seated rows, latissimus pull downs
7. Gentle biceps strengthening from 4 months

Note: Avoid all overhead push exercises

Return to work and sport general guidelines

Please ask Dr McBride and your physiotherapist about your specific situation

Writing 2 weeks

Computer 2 weeks

Light duties 6 weeks

Moderate duties 3 months

Exercise bike 4 weeks

Running 6 weeks

Gym 8 weeks (light)

Golf 12 to 16 weeks

Swimming 6 months

Tennis 6 months

Contact sport, discuss with Dr McBride

Throwing sport, discuss with Dr McBride, shoulder surgeon