Have you recently had shoulder surgery? Here are some post-surgery exercise tips from the surgeons at our Kelowna hospital to help you stay healthy and recover quickly and safely.
Do you have a shoulder injury that is not improving with non-surgical intervention? If so, then your doctor may recommend a type of surgery called shoulder arthroscopy. This type of procedure uses a tiny camera to examine and repair any damaged tissues around your shoulder joint.
It is safer and less invasive than traditional surgery and can be used to treat a number of conditions, including:
- Recurrent shoulder dislocation
- Inflamed tissue or loose cartilage
- Damaged rotator cuff
- Bone spurs
Minimally Invasive Shoulder Surgery at Our Kelowna Private Hospital
Are you becoming frustrated with the pain and lack of function caused by a shoulder injury? The doctors at our Kelowna private hospital always favour non-invasive treatments (eg. physical therapy) over more extensive procedures, but in situations when such treatments can no longer provide relief, we help determine if a shoulder surgery is the right choice for you.
Want to know more?
4 Post Shoulder Surgery Exercise Tips to Keep You Safe
After going through the trouble and cost of surgery, the last thing you want to do is rush things and hurt your shoulder again. That’s why recovery after your arthroscopic surgery is extremely important.
To help you stay safe during your healing period, here are 4 post shoulder surgery exercise tips:
-
Take it Easy
In the first stages of recovery from your shoulder surgery, it’s important to take it easy. For up to six weeks, your arm may be in a sling to keep weight off the torn tendons and/or ligaments, which aids in healing. Your doctor will instruct you to keep your arm close to your side and to avoid any strenuous activity.
-
Consider Moderate Cardio
About two weeks after your surgery, you should check with your doctor about beginning a light exercise regimen. While it’s advisable to avoid the elliptical and treadmill (as the risk of losing balance and falling is high), you may want to consider using a stationary bike.
|
At this point: Your surgeon will recommend that you move your hand and elbow a little to avoid it from becoming too stiff. However, do not reach out or carry anything with your injured arm. |
-
One-Armed Exercises
After 2-3 weeks, your doctor may inform you that you may begin some light physical activity, but with an important caveat: your injured arm should not move at all during the activity.
What does this mean? You may be able to do some conditioning exercises that don’t involve the affected arm.
These could include:
- One-armed light kettlebell swing
- Air squat
- Step up box
- Rowing with one arm
- Lunges
- Back extensions
|
Never Do Anything Without Your Doctor’s Okay: Remember, before you do any physical activity, it is absolutely crucial that you check with your doctor beforehand to make sure it is safe for you. |
-
Ask Your Physical Therapist For a Guide
After the initial healing period, when your doctor decides it’s time for your physical therapy to begin, you will be moving from one exercise to another, so when you get home, you may have difficulty remembering how to do a certain exercise.
|
Tip: Talk to your doctor/physical therapist about giving you a guide of the exercises and the instructions on how to do them. This will ensure you won’t inadvertently make a mistake and hurt yourself further. |
Call Today
To find out more about the cost and benefits of the arthroscopic shoulder surgery at our Kelowna hospital, and how our surgeons can help restore the function to your arm as soon as possible, contact us today at 250-868-9799 or book a consultation.
