Composite fist
Make a full fist slowly, then open fully.
- 10 times
- Every hour while awake
Should feel: Full movement Should not feel: Catching that hurts
Home / Patient library / Exercise sheets / Sheet 82
After shoulder replacement
Shoulder & elbow · After shoulder surgery
Count the weeks from the day of your operation. The date is on your discharge card.
If your doctor wrote a different plan on your prescription, follow that instead of this page.
A4 PDF, 0.6 MB. Free to download — no sign-up, no email address needed.
Weeks 0–6
Protect the new joint and the tendon at the front of the shoulder, which was repaired during the operation. Keep the hand, wrist and elbow moving, and start the gentle shoulder exercises we show you.
Arm use Sling when walking about and at night, as we advise. Light use of the hand at waist level. No lifting, and no pushing up from a chair or bed with this arm.
Elbow bend and straighten
Sit with the arm by your side. Bend the elbow slowly as far as it goes, bringing the hand up, then straighten it fully.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: A gentle stretch at the front or back of the elbow Should not feel: Sharp pain
Pendulum swing
Lean forward, let the arm hang. Swing it gently in circles using your body, not the shoulder.
- 1 minute
- 4 times a day
Should feel: The shoulder loosening Should not feel: Sharp pain
Table slide
Sit at a table, slide the hand forward, letting the body follow.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: A stretch at the end of the range Should not feel: Pinching at the top
Not yet Turning the arm outwards further than we allow, reaching behind your back, pushing up from a chair or bed with this hand, lifting, or driving.
Move to the next stage only after we have seen you, and the X-ray if one was planned.
Weeks 6–12
Sling off. Get the movement back in all directions. Carry on with the earlier exercises.
Arm use Light daily tasks. Nothing heavier than a full glass of water.
Wall climb
Face a wall, walk the fingers up as high as comfortable, hold, then walk down.
- 5 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: A stretch overhead Should not feel: Shrugging to cheat height
Stick-assisted external rotation
Hold a stick with both hands, elbow tucked in, and push the affected arm outwards.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: A stretch at the front of the shoulder Should not feel: Sharp pain
Cross-body stretch
Pull the arm across your chest with the other hand.
- Hold 20 seconds
- 5 times
Should feel: A stretch at the back of the shoulder Should not feel: Pain in the front
Not yet Lifting anything heavy, or forcing the arm behind your back.
Move to the next stage only after we have seen you, and the X-ray if one was planned.
Month 3 onwards
Build strength and return to your normal daily activities. Movement keeps improving for up to a year. If you ever have an infection elsewhere, such as the skin, teeth or urine, get it treated promptly and tell the doctor you have a shoulder replacement.
Arm use Normal daily use. Avoid heavy lifting for good, to protect the joint.
Towel internal rotation
Hold a towel behind your back and gently pull the lower hand up.
- Hold 15 seconds
- 5 times
Should feel: A stretch at the front Should not feel: Pinching
Isometric external rotation
Stand beside a wall, elbow bent and tucked in, press the back of the hand into the wall without moving.
- Hold 10 seconds
- 10 times
Should feel: The muscle working Should not feel: Sharp pain
Band row
Pull a band back, squeezing the shoulder blades together.
- 12 times
- Once a day
Should feel: The shoulder blade muscles working Should not feel: Shrugging
Not yet Heavy lifting, contact sport, or work that jars the arm, for good.
Stop and telephone us if
- Sudden severe pain, the shoulder looks out of shape, or you cannot move it: the joint may have come out
- Pain that keeps getting worse despite the painkillers
- The hand becomes numb, cold, pale or blue
- Wound redness, discharge or fever
- Sudden breathlessness or chest pain — go to the nearest hospital
Ready when you are.
Call either clinic during consulting hours, or send a WhatsApp message any time.