This subsection of our website contains rehabilitation programs or protocols designed for shoulder problems which may be treated without surgery. While many patients experience significant improvement in symptoms with these exercises, not all patients will improve. If your shoulder symptoms do not improve with these exercises, then please notify our office.
Click on your rehabilitation protocol to download a PDF file containing specific exercises and instructions for each phase of your recovery. Please share these protocols with your physical therapist. If you are uncertain which protocol you should be following, then please call our office for clarification.
You may review video demonstrations of the essential exercises in these protocols by clicking on the links provided below. Not all exercises recommended in each protocol are demonstrated in the videos. We recommend that you rely on your physical therapist to demonstrate the exercises not shown on our website.
Protocol R1 – Non-Operative Rehabilitation Program for Acute Glenohumeral Joint Dislocation
Phase I – Protection Phase (weeks 0-4): Review videos for shoulder immobilizer and passive ROM (Codman’s pendulum, passive flexion)
Phase II – Motion Phase (weeks 5-8): Review videos for active ROM,overhead pulley and isometric strengthening (flexion, extension,abduction, external rotation, internal rotation).
Phase III – Strengthening Phase (weeks 9-12): Review videos for isotonic strengthening (theraband preparation, flexion, extension,abduction, external rotation, internal rotation, shoulder shrugs, wall push ups).
Download the PDF HERE
Protocol R2 – Non-Operative Strengthening Program for Recurrent Glenohumeral Subluxation or Multi-Directional Glenohumeral Instability
Review videos for isometric strengthening (flexion, extension, abduction, external rotation, internal rotation) and isotonic strengthening (theraband preparation, flexion, extension, abduction, external rotation, internal rotation, shoulder shrugs, wall push ups).
Download the PDF HERE
Protocol R3 – Non-Operative Strengthening Program for Scapular Winging or Dyskinesis
Phase I – Early Strengthening (weeks 0-6): Review videos for strengthening (shoulder shrugs, wall push ups). Consult with physical therapist for additional exercises.
Phase II – Advanced Strengthening (weeks 7-12): Review videos for strengthening (shoulder shrugs, wall push ups). Consult with physical therapist for additional exercises.
Download the PDF HERE
Protocol R4 – Non-Operative Rehabilitation Program for Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
Phase I – Motion Phase (weeks 0-6): Review videos for passive ROM (Codman’s pendulum, passive flexion, stick-assisted flexion, stick-assisted extension, stick-assisted abduction, stick-assisted external rotation, stick-assisted internal rotation), active ROM, overhead pulley, stretching (supine stretch, wall climb, posterior capsular stretch) and isometric strengthening (flexion, extension, abduction, external rotation and internal rotation).
Phase II – Motion and Strengthening Phase (weeks 7-12): Review videos for isotonic strengthening (theraband preparation, flexion, extension, abduction, external rotation, internal rotation, shoulder shrugs, wall push ups).
Download the PDF HERE
Protocol R5 – Non-Operative Rehabilitation Program for Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
Phase I – Motion Phase (weeks 0-6): Review videos for passive ROM (Codman’s pendulum, passive flexion, stick-assisted flexion, stick-assisted extension, stick-assisted abduction, stick-assisted external rotation, stick-assisted internal rotation), active ROM, overhead pulley, stretching (supine stretch, wall climb, posterior capsular stretch) and isometric strengthening (flexion, extension, abduction, external rotation and internal rotation).
Phase II – Strengthening Phase (weeks 7-12): Review videos for isotonic strengthening (theraband preparation, flexion, extension, abduction, external rotation, internal rotation, shoulder shrugs, wall push ups).
Download the PDF HERE
Protocol R6 – Non-Operative Rehabilitation Program for Rotator Cuff Tear
Phase I – Motion Phase (weeks 0-3): Review videos for passive ROM (Codman’s pendulum, passive flexion, stick-assisted flexion, stick-assisted extension, stick-assisted abduction, stick-assisted external rotation, stick-assisted internal rotation), active ROM, overhead pulley, stretching (supine stretch, wall climb, posterior capsular stretch) and isometric strengthening (flexion, extension, abduction, external rotation and internal rotation).
Phase II – Strengthening Phase (weeks 4-6): Review videos for anterior deltoid strengthening and for isotonic strengthening (theraband preparation, flexion, extension, abduction, external rotation, internal rotation, shoulder shrugs, wall push ups).
Download the PDF HERE
Protocol R7 – Non-Operative Rehabilitation Program for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Review videos for Codman’s pendulum exercises and shoulder shrugs. Consult with physical therapist for additional exercises.
Download the PDF HERE