Rehabilitation Following Shoulder Arthroplasty

Often termed “prehabilitation,” a couple of sessions followed by a physiotherapist to go over the postoperative rehabilitation program is very helpful to the patient. Emphasis is placed on understanding the goals of therapy and practicing rehab exercises before patients experience postoperative pain and immobilization. Immediate postoperative issues such as dressing, bathing, and activities of daily living are addressed so that the patient feels comfortable with those activities prior to surgery. This is very important especially for elderly patients who live alone and are concerned about restrictions following surgery. We routinely schedule a prehabilitation appointment with a therapist, even when patients are planning to do therapy at home postoperatively.