Anatomical Total Shoulder Replacement
Shoulder Arthritis
Shoulder arthritis occurs when there is loss of cartilage between the ball and socket of the arm bone. Also, the shape of the arm bone changes with bone spurs. The ball can no longer roll fully in the socket. This leads to pain and stiffness.
An Anatomical Total Shoulder Arthroplasty (Replacement) replaces your worn out cartilage ball with a metallic ball made of a super-alloy that is fixed to the arm bone. The socket is replaced with a type of plastic that is cemented into the socket.
General Information
You should wear a sling when sleeping or in a crowded situation
You do not need a sling during the day if the arm is at the side
You may shower immediately, but do not submerge the dressing.
Do not take off the steri-strips
It takes 3 months for the soft tissues to heal
Wear a sling when you sleep
Phase 1:
0-6 weeks
Phase 1 basically allows the skin to heal, to restore motion and avoid stiffness, and protect the repair of the subscapularis tendon which was repaired and allow the body to grow into the metal of the prosthesis
Phase 1:
- control pain and swelling. take ice and pain medication as prescribed as needed. drink water and take over the counter stool softeners like colace.
- allow skin to heal (2 weeks). DO NOT remove steri strips. They can fall off naturally. If they start to curl up, you may cut it with a scissor.
- The wound should be water tight for a shower as there is skin glue and steri-strips protecting the incision. To wash under the affected arm, bend over at the waist and let the arm passively come away from the body. It is safe to wash under the arm in this position. Do not scrub or get excessive water over the surgical site.
- You should wear a sling while sleeping or for comfort or while out. You do not need a sling when awake and walking and sitting in a controlled environment.
- begin pendulum motion of the arm
Phase 1:
You should be stretching every day, 5 times per day
Should include pendulum exercises, passive external rotation, passive arm elevation, scapular retraction, shoulder shrugs, and movement of the elbow and hand
continue physical therapy
Phase 2:
6-12 weeks
Protect healing cuff
continue to improve motion
Stretch every day, 3-5 x per day
NO STRENGTHENING until healed (12 weeks)
continue physical therapy
Phase 3: 12+weeks after
regain full range of motion
begin gentle strengthening and control
may begin working out if in control and can do more than 10 reps.
continue physical therapy
After 12 weeks
Enjoy your shoulder
If you develop pain, please return as soon as possible
tell a dentist that you have a shoulder replacement
NEVER fall!
UIH TSA-HA Guidelines.docxShoulder Arthroplasty Rehab Protocol.pdf