Texas Orthopedic
Hospital 7401 South Main Street
Houston, TX 77030
Phone: (713) 799-2300 info@drgartsman.com
Rehabilitation
The goal of your operation is to eliminate or diminish pain and allow you to comfortably perform normal activities of daily living. Fortunately, you can usually perform the necessary rehabilitation exercises by yourself at home. Dr. Gartsman will decide when the different types and levels of therapy are appropriate and then a physical therapist will show you what to do and give you the necessary materials. Patients are encouraged to begin aerobic exercises as soon as possible.
You will do a simple exercise for 2 minutes, 5 times a day. 10 Minutes of daily rehabilitation that you can do yourself at home is all that is needed.
You will be examined three weeks after surgery to determine if you need physical therapy (only about 10% of patients require regular visits to a physical therapist).
You will still use the sling and cannot raise your arm up or away from your side. I will see you next six weeks after surgery and you should be able to remove the sling.
Doctor visits will continue for six weeks after surgery, as well as visits to the therapist for additional exercises. At the three-month visit, you will begin strengthening exercises.
Rotator Cuff Repair Rehabilitation - Phase 1
Rotator Cuff Repair Rehabilitation - Phase 2
Rehabilitation – Labrum repair
You may enjoy walking, Stairmaster and stationary bicycle riding within one to
two weeks.
Jogging, and regular bicycle riding can start two to three months from surgery, as can gentle golf strokes.
Swimming, running, and tennis ground strokes start four to six months after surgery.
Return to overhead throwing, tennis strokes and contact sports require at least six months of rehabilitation.
Full return to competitive overhead sports requires 12 full months.
Return to weight lifting is unpredictable. You may need one full year before performing activities such as the bench press and you may never recover enough to lift heavy weights.
Rehabilitation – Irreparable rotator cuff
You may enjoy walking, and stationary bicycle riding within one week after
your surgery.
Jogging, Stairmaster and regular bicycle riding can start as soon as you feel comfortable, as can gentle golf strokes.
Swimming and tennis ground strokes start one to two months after surgery.
Return to overhead throwing and tennis strokes can require six to 12 months
of rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation – Acromioplasty
You may enjoy walking, and stationary bicycle riding within one week after
your surgery.
Jogging, Stairmaster and regular bicycle riding can start as soon as you feel comfortable, as can gentle golf strokes.
Swimming, running, and tennis ground strokes start one to two months after surgery.
Return to overhead throwing, tennis strokes and contact sports can require three to six months of rehabilitation.
Full return to competitive, overhead sports require six to 12 full months.
You may enjoy walking, Stairmaster and stationary bicycle riding within one to two weeks.
Jogging, and regular bicycle riding can start two to three months from surgery, as can gentle golf strokes.
Swimming, running, and tennis ground strokes start four to six months after surgery.
Return to overhead throwing, tennis strokes and contact sports require at least six months of rehabilitation.
Full return to competitive overhead sports requires 12 full months.
Return to weight lifting is unpredictable. You may need one full year before performing activities such as the bench press and you may never recover enough to lift heavy weights.
You will need to do your strengthening exercises three times a week for two years. This allows the ligaments to heal. Some people stop exercising too soon and then the shoulder starts to hurt.
Rehabilitation - Contracture
You will use a machine called a Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) chair to move your arm in the correct movement. You will use this at home for two weeks after the operation. (delivery and pickup will be arranged).
Patients use the chair one hour, four times a day. Use the ice pack for one hour after each chair session.
You will be examined two weeks after surgery to determine if you need physical therapy (only about 10% of patients require regular visits to a physical therapist).
Doctor visits will continue for six weeks after surgery, as well as visits to the therapist for additional exercises. At the three-month visit, you will begin strengthening exercises.
Rehabilitation – Shoulder joint arthritis
A major goal of this operation is cartilage growth and continuous passive motion
promotes cartilage.
You will use a machine called a Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) chair to move your arm in the correct movement. You will use this at home for 2 weeks after the operation. (delivery and pickup will be arranged).
Patients use the chair one hour, four times a day. Use the ice pack for one hour after each chair session.
You will be examined two weeks after surgery to determine if you need physical therapy (only about 10% of patients require regular visits to a physical therapist).
Doctor visits will continue for six weeks after surgery, as well as visits to the therapist for additional exercises. At the three-month visit, you will begin strengthening exercises.
