Frozen Shoulder Repair Rehab Protocol

• Sling allowed as needed for comfort only, first 5 - 7 days, taking arm out often 5 - 7 times a day for elbow ROM
• Posture education and postural exercises
• Ball or putty squeezing throughout the day
• Icing every two hours for 15 - 20 minutes first 5 - 7 days, 3 times a day thereafter
• CPM (continuous passive motion) machine 4 - 6 hours per day for 1 - 4 weeks
• Soft tissue mobilization focused on periscapular musculature, cervical spine, and rotator cuff
• Scapular mobilization
• Passive and active assisted ROM manually and using pulley at home going for full motion as soon as able without increased irritability
• Cardiovascular training program can include bike, treadmill, versa climber, UBE
• Core stabilization program

 2 - 4 Weeks:

• Full passive range of motion should be achieved by 2 - 4 weeks
• Scapular and glenohumeral joint mobilization as indicated
• Begin rotator cuff retraining and strengthening, focus on restoring proper biomechanics
• Integration of involved shoulder through bilateral UE activity and total motion training (full body movements using both upper and lower extremities)
• Continued cardiovascular and core strength training
• Continued icing 3 times per day

4 - 8 Weeks:

• Progressive strength training contingent upon perfect biomechanics
• Development of independent home and gym program
• Okay to return to swimming with good mechanics after 6 weeks

8 - 10 Weeks:

• Progression into normal activity and exercise program
• Patient discharged with life-long home maintenance program to include daily ROM exercises, rotator cuff program, and cardiovascular program

NOTE: All progressions are approximations and should be used as a guideline only. Progression will be based on individual patient presentation, which is assessed throughout the treatment process.

Don't Know Why Your Shoulder Hurts? Use our Shoulder Pain Symptom Checker to learn more about your symptoms and possible injury conditions.