Prior to capsular release surgery for frozen shoulders , you are advised to visit your physiotherapist to make sure you are ready for your post-op rehab.

Dr Gupta recommends;

• Game Ready ice and compression therapy fitting and instructions explained
• Your Post Op Rehab Protocol explained

Post Operative Rehab

You will achieve the best surgical outcome if you follow up surgery with a matching course of rehabilitation. The below outlines recommendations of your rehab over the first 3 months following your procedure;

Self Guided Activities 

Whilst Dr Gupta, your GP and your physio will help guide and motivate you through your recovery, the more you can help on your own, the better the result for all. A checklist below will help remind you what to do along the way;

• Keep your wound dry
• Wear a collar and cuff sling as required for the first week
• Confirm your 2 week post op appointment with Dr Gupta
• Use your pain medication as prescribed by your GP doctor
• Use your rented Game Ready ice treatment as recommended from 0-4 weeks
• Visit your physiotherapist 4-5 times a week and repeat your physio session by yourself daily from 0-4 weeks
• Decrease your physiotherapy visits to 2-3 times a week and repeat exercises daily from 4-8 weeks
• Decrease your physiotherapy visits to 1-2 times per week and repeat exercises daily from 8weeks to full recovery
• Confirm your 3 month post op follow up appointment with Dr Gupta

Physiotherapy 

1-6 Weeks

Priority no.1 is to improve active and passive movement of the shoulder up to shoulder height in this phase.

• Sling no longer required

Stretching Exercises (commencing active ROM movements)

• Shoulder flexion stretches as tolerated in standing against wall 3×10 reps of 5 second holds building to full flexion
• Supine broom handle internal/ external rotation stretching 3×10 to each side
• Standing arm behind back assisted raise with a broom handle, 3×10 lifts
• Sitting internal and external rotation broom handle stretches at a table, 3×10 to each side

Shoulder Strength Exercises

• Shoulder blade retraction exercises, 3×10 reps of 5 second holds
• Lower traps exercises using contract and hold efforts, 3×10 reps of 5 second holds
• Isometric external rotation, 3x10reps of 5 second holds
• Isometric internal rotation, 3x10reps of 5 second holds
• Isometric flexion, 3x10reps of 5 second holds
• Isometric extension, 3x10reps of 5 second holds
• Isometric adduction, 3×10 reps of 5 second holds
• Non-affected shoulder exercises as per above

Recovery and pain

• Scar and swelling massage
• Ice and compression therapy like Game Ready
• Interferential if preferred

6 Weeks to Full Recovery

Priority no.1 is completing max shoulder ROM and improving strength during this phase.

• Above shoulder exercises are now allowed at home

Stretching Exercises

• Shoulder flexion as tolerated in standing against wall 3×10 reps of 5 second holds building to full flexion
• Supine broom handle internal/ external rotation stretching
• Supine broom handle flexion to 90 degrees
• Standing arm behind back assisted raise with a broom handle

Shoulder strength Exercises using appropriate theraband as tolerated

• Internal/ external rotation with the shoulder by side, 3×10 reps
• Seated row, 3×10 reps
• Shoulder adduction, 3×10 reps
• Shoulder flexion/ extension using a pulley or similar 3×10 of each

Recovery and pain

• Scar and swelling massage
• Ice and compression therapy like Game Ready
• Interferential if preferred

If you’ve got a shoulder condition and don’t know what to do, contact Dr Gupta on 02 9687 8344 or make an online booking to see him.