Recovery & rehab, in one place.

Recovery timeline for you

Week 0–1

• Sling worn continuously, including overnight.
• Regional block lasts 12–18 hours.
• Hand, wrist and elbow exercises commenced.

Week 1–6

• Sling continues.
• Passive range of motion under your physiotherapist.
• No driving. Light desk work usually possible from week 2–3.

Week 6–12

• Sling discontinued. Active-assisted progressing to active range of motion.
• Driving resumed. Light manual work resumed.

Month 3–6

• Strengthening commences with the posterior cuff and scapular stabilisers first.
• Return to most manual work and recreational activity.

Month 6–12

• Return to overhead sport and heavy lifting.
• Strength continues to improve out to a year.

Rehabilitation protocol for your physiotherapist

A written copy of this protocol is provided to your physiotherapist on the day of surgery. The timeline below is a guide - progression is based on clinical milestones, not the calendar alone.

Phase 1 - weeks 0–6 (protection)

• Sling at all times except during prescribed exercises.
• Passive forward flexion to 90 degrees (increase to full by week 6).
• Pendular (Codman’s) exercises.
• Scapula setting and posture correction.
• Active range of motion for elbow, wrist and hand.
• No active shoulder movement. No combined abduction, external rotation and hand-behind-back positions.

Phase 2 - weeks 7–12 (active movement)

• Wean sling.
• Active-assisted forward flexion progressing to active.
• External rotation in adduction to 70 degrees.
• Gentle isometric infraspinatus from week 10.
• Internal rotation in 90 degrees of abduction from week 10.
• Active hand behind back as tolerated.

Phase 3 - week 12 onwards (strengthening)

• Gentle rotator cuff resistance work.
• Progressive increase in cuff and scapula stabiliser workload.
• Proprioceptive and functional rehabilitation.
• Return to sport guided by strength, control and surgeon review.

Accelerated protocol (selected patients)

For smaller tears with good tissue quality, an accelerated pathway may be used at the surgeon’s discretion:

• Sling for 3–4 weeks only.
• Active-assisted range of motion from week 0–4.
• Submaximal isometrics from week 4–6.
• Open-chain rotator cuff strengthening from week 6–12.
• Return to contact sport from week 12 onwards.
• Avoid combined abduction, external rotation and hand behind back in the early phase.

View the recovery roadmap for the full five-phase journey, or visit For Physiotherapists to request protocols directly.

Recovery timeline for you

Dr Coory uses an accelerated post-operative protocol for reverse shoulder arthroplasty — one night in hospital and one week in a sling, with early active-assisted motion under the supervision of your treating physiotherapist.

Day 0–1

• Regional block lasting 12–18 hours.
• Inpatient physiotherapy with pendulum exercises and gentle passive range.
• Sling fitted; discharge home usually the next morning.

Week 1 (sling phase)

• Sling worn for one week post-operatively.
• Pendulum and passive elevation daily.
• No driving, no lifting.

Weeks 1–6

• Sling discontinued at the end of the first week.
• Active-assisted range of motion under your physiotherapist.
• Active range progressing from weeks 2–4.
• Deltoid-led elevation exercises commence early.
• Driving resumed at approximately 2 weeks once off opioid analgesia.

Weeks 6–12

• Strengthening focused on deltoid and scapular control.
• Most daily activities resumed.

Month 3–12

• Return to most recreational activity.
• Final outcome at 9–12 months.

Rehabilitation protocol for your physiotherapist

A written copy of this protocol is provided to your physiotherapist on the day of surgery. The timeline below is a guide — progression is based on clinical milestones, not the calendar alone.

Weeks 0–1 — immediate post-operative

• Sling at all times except during prescribed exercises.
• Ice and heat as directed for pain and swelling management.
• Pendular (Codman’s) exercises to maintain gentle movement.
• Hand-to-mouth movements permitted.
• Active range of motion for elbow, wrist and hand.

Weeks 1–6 — early rehabilitation

• Active-assisted forward flexion using pulleys.
• Progress toward full active forward flexion if scapula control is adequate.
• Hand behind back (HBB) stretching with a stick.
• External rotation with a stick in adduction.
• Wall walking in the shower for overhead range.
• Continue sling use between exercise sessions.

Weeks 6–14 — strengthening

• Wean off sling.
• Strengthening with emphasis on scapula stabilisers, external rotation and abduction at 90/90.
• Encourage full active range of motion in all planes.
• Proprioceptive and functional rehabilitation.

Week 14 onwards — unrestricted activity

• Full unrestricted activities permitted.
• Continue strengthening as required.
• No specific limitations from this point.

View the recovery roadmap for the full five-phase journey, or visit For Physiotherapists to request protocols directly.

Recovery timeline for you

Day 0–1

• Regional block lasts 12–18 hours.
• Sling fitted; discharge home usually the next morning.
• Inpatient physiotherapy begins pendulum and passive movements.

Week 1–6

• Sling worn for 4–6 weeks for cuff protection (the rotator cuff is preserved in anatomic TSA and must be allowed to heal undisturbed).
• Passive and active-assisted range of motion under your physiotherapist.
• No driving. No lifting more than a kilogram.

Week 6–12

• Sling removed. Active range of motion progresses.
• Driving resumed. Light daily activities resumed.

Month 3–12

• Strengthening commences under your physiotherapist.
• Most activities resumed. Final outcome generally reached at 12 months.

Rehabilitation protocol for your physiotherapist

A written copy of this protocol is provided to your physiotherapist on the day of surgery. The timeline below is a guide — progression is based on clinical milestones, not the calendar alone.

Weeks 0–1 — immediate post-operative

• Sling at all times except during prescribed exercises.
• Ice and heat as directed for pain and swelling management.
• Pendular (Codman’s) exercises to maintain gentle movement.
• Hand-to-mouth movements permitted.
• Active range of motion for elbow, wrist and hand.

Weeks 1–6 — early rehabilitation

• Active-assisted forward flexion using pulleys.
• Progress toward full active forward flexion if scapula control is adequate.
• Hand behind back (HBB) stretching with a stick.
• External rotation with a stick in adduction.
• Wall walking in the shower for overhead range.
• Continue sling use between exercise sessions.

Weeks 6–14 — strengthening

• Wean off sling.
• Strengthening with emphasis on scapula stabilisers, external rotation and abduction at 90/90.
• Encourage full active range of motion in all planes.
• Proprioceptive and functional rehabilitation.

Week 14 onwards — unrestricted activity

• Full unrestricted activities permitted.
• Continue strengthening as required.
• No specific limitations from this point.

View the recovery roadmap for the full five-phase journey, or visit For Physiotherapists to request protocols directly.

Recovery timeline for you

Dr Coory uses an accelerated post-operative protocol for Mako robotic-assisted reverse shoulder arthroplasty — one night in hospital and one week in a sling, with early active-assisted motion under the supervision of your treating physiotherapist.

Day 0–1 (in hospital)

• Regional block lasting 12–18 hours.
• Pendulum exercises and passive range of motion under the inpatient physiotherapist.
• Sling fitted; discharge home usually the next morning.

Week 1 (sling phase)

• Sling worn for one week post-operatively.
• Pendulum and passive range of motion daily.
• No driving, no lifting.

Weeks 1–6

• Sling discontinued at the end of the first week.
• Active-assisted range of motion under your treating physiotherapist.
• Active range progressing from weeks 2–4.
• Driving resumed at approximately 2 weeks once off opioid analgesia.
• Light desk work from week 1–2 if comfortable.

Weeks 6–12

• Strengthening commences under physiotherapist supervision.
• Return to most light daily activities.
• Light manual work resumed in this window.

Month 3–6

• Return to most manual work and recreational activity.

Month 6–12

• Return to overhead sport and heavier lifting (selectively).
• Final outcome usually reached at 12 months.

Rehabilitation protocol for your physiotherapist

A written, procedure-specific rehabilitation protocol is provided to your physiotherapist at discharge. Physiotherapists can request it via the For Physiotherapists page.

Recovery timeline for you

Week 0–6

• Sling worn continuously.
• Pendulum and passive range from day 1.
• No driving. No lifting.

Week 6–12

• Sling discontinued. Active range of motion progresses.
• Driving resumed. Return to a desk job.

Month 3–6

• Strengthening commences.
• Return to non-contact sport.

Months 6–9

• Return to contact sport once strength, range of motion and confidence have returned. The decision is functional, not purely time-based.

Rehabilitation protocol for your physiotherapist

A written copy of this protocol is provided to your physiotherapist on the day of surgery. The timeline below is a guide — progression is based on clinical milestones, not the calendar alone.

Weeks 0–6 — protection phase

• Sling at all times except during prescribed exercises.
• Ice after therapy sessions; heat packs before therapy.
• Scapula rotation exercises within the sling.
• Pendular exercises and active-assisted forward flexion to 90 degrees.
• Active-assisted elbow flexion for the first 3 weeks, then progress to active.

Weeks 7–12 — active rehabilitation

• Remove sling.
• Scapula control and proprioceptive training.
• Begin active external rotation in adduction as tolerated.
• Gentle isometric and isotonic resistance for subscapularis and infraspinatus.
• Internal rotation in 90 degrees of abduction with posterior capsular massage and stretch.
• External rotation in abduction with humeral head relocation (posterior draw).
• Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) patterns.

Week 12 onwards — return to activity

• Gentle resistance work for supraspinatus and subscapularis.
• Progressive increase in rotator cuff workload.
• Return to sport when the patient has full control and comparable strength to the opposite side.

View the recovery roadmap for the full five-phase journey, or visit For Physiotherapists to request protocols directly.

Recovery timeline for you

Week 0–4

• Sling worn continuously.
• Passive range of motion under physiotherapist.
• External rotation is restricted to protect the repair.

Week 4–12

• Sling discontinued at 4 weeks.
• Active-assisted range of motion progresses to active range.
• Driving resumed at 4–6 weeks.

Month 3–6

• Strengthening commences.
• Return to non-contact sport from 3 months.
• Return to contact sport at 4–6 months once strength and confidence are restored.

Rehabilitation protocol for your physiotherapist

A written copy of this protocol is provided to your physiotherapist on the day of surgery. The timeline below covers both anterior and posterior stabilisation — your surgeon will confirm which pathway applies.

Anterior stabilisation (Bankart repair)

Phase 1 — weeks 0–4 (protection)

• Sling at all times except during prescribed exercises.
• Passive and active-assisted range of motion: forward flexion to 90 degrees, abduction to 45 degrees, external rotation to 30 degrees, internal rotation to stomach level.
• Isometric exercises for rotator cuff and scapula stabilisers.
• Active range of motion for elbow, wrist and hand.

Phase 2 — weeks 4–6 (early mobilisation)

• Discontinue sling.
• Increase range of motion toward full.
• Theraband resistance exercises.
• Scapula stabilising programme.

Phase 3 — weeks 6–12 (strengthening)

• Full active range of motion expected.
• Light dumbbell strengthening (1–5 lbs) progressing gradually.
• Proprioceptive and functional rehabilitation.

Phase 4 — months 3–6 (return to sport)

• Sport-specific training and conditioning.
• Throwing programme from 4.5 months if applicable.
• Full return to contact sport at 6 months.

Posterior stabilisation

Phase 1 — weeks 0–6 (protection)

• Sling in flexion, abduction and neutral rotation.
• No range of motion for the first 3 weeks.
• Weeks 3–6: passive range of motion — forward flexion to 90 degrees, abduction to 90 degrees, internal rotation to 45 degrees.

Phase 2 — weeks 6–12 (mobilisation)

• Sling removed at week 8.
• Active-assisted and active range of motion targets: 135 degrees forward flexion, 120 degrees abduction, full external rotation.
• Resistive exercises from week 8 — below the horizontal plane only.

Phase 3 — weeks 12–16 (strengthening)

• Full active range of motion expected.
• Glenohumeral stabilisation exercises.
• Eccentric strengthening programme.

Phase 4 — months 4–6 (return to sport)

• Sport-specific training and conditioning.
• Full return to contact sport at 6 months.

View the recovery roadmap for the full rehabilitation journey, or visit For Physiotherapists for protocol requests.

Recovery timeline for you

Day 0–1

• Day surgery. Regional block for 12–18 hours of pain relief.
• Active and active-assisted exercises start on day 1.

Week 1–6

• Physiotherapy 2–3 times per week — the rehabilitation matters as much as the surgery.
• Driving when comfortable, typically within 2 weeks.
• Return to a desk job within a week.

Month 2–6

• Strengthening commences.
• Most daily activities resumed.
• Most patients reach a satisfactory functional outcome between 3 and 6 months.

Rehabilitation protocol for your physiotherapist

A written, procedure-specific rehabilitation protocol is provided to your physiotherapist at discharge. Physiotherapists can request it via the For Physiotherapists page.

Recovery timeline for you

Week 1

• Comfort sling for 1–2 weeks.
• Active and passive range-of-motion exercises from day 1.
• Return to a desk job within a week.

Week 2–6

• Sling discontinued.
• Strengthening progresses.
• Return to manual work at 4–6 weeks.

Rehabilitation protocol for your physiotherapist

A written copy of this protocol is provided to your physiotherapist on the day of surgery. Recovery after arthroscopic decompression is typically rapid compared with rotator cuff repair.

Weeks 0–2 — early protection

• Sling for comfort (usually 1–2 weeks).
• Pendular exercises and gentle shoulder range of motion as pain allows.
• Active range of motion for elbow, wrist and hand.
• Ice for 20 minutes every 2–3 hours during the first week.
• No lifting, pushing, pulling or carrying.
• Keep dressings clean and dry; no soaking until wounds are healed.

Weeks 2–6 — progressive mobilisation

• Active-assisted shoulder range of motion progressing to full active.
• Scapula control and posture correction.
• Light strengthening as comfort allows.

Week 6 onwards — return to activity

• Progressive strengthening of rotator cuff and scapula stabilisers.
• Return to manual work at 4–6 weeks.
• Return to sport guided by strength and functional recovery.

View the recovery roadmap for the full rehabilitation journey, or visit For Physiotherapists for protocol requests.

Recovery timeline for you

Weeks 0–3

• Sling worn for 3 weeks.
• Active range of motion of the elbow from day 1.
• No active biceps loading (no lifting with the arm flexed at the elbow).

Weeks 3–8

• Sling discontinued at 3 weeks.
• Active-assisted shoulder range of motion under your physiotherapist.
• Driving resumed at approximately 3 weeks once off opioid analgesia.

Months 2–6

• Progressive strengthening from 8 weeks.
• Return to non-contact sport at 3 months; contact sport at 4–6 months.

Rehabilitation protocol for your physiotherapist

A written copy of this protocol is provided to your physiotherapist on the day of surgery. The timeline below is a guide — progression is based on clinical milestones, not the calendar alone.

Phase 1 — weeks 0–4 (protection)

• Sling for comfort; wean as tolerated.
• Pendular exercises and passive shoulder range of motion as directed.
• Active range of motion for elbow, wrist and hand.
• Do not flex the elbow under load — 600 g maximum in the hand for 4 weeks.
• No resisted biceps curls.
• Ice for 20 minutes every 2–3 hours during the first week.

Phase 2 — weeks 4–8 (early mobilisation)

• Wean sling fully.
• Active-assisted shoulder range of motion progressing to active.
• Isometric external and internal rotation from week 6.
• Scapula control and posture correction.

Phase 3 — weeks 8–12 (strengthening)

• Isotonic rotator cuff and scapula stabiliser strengthening.
• Proprioceptive and functional rehabilitation.
• Progressive biceps loading as tolerated.

Phase 4 — week 12 onwards (return to activity)

• Swimming and non-contact sport from 3 months.
• Full unrestricted activity as strength and comfort allow.

View the recovery roadmap for the full rehabilitation journey, or visit For Physiotherapists for protocol requests.

Recovery timeline for you

Day 0–2

• Day surgery. Light dressing.
• Active finger movement immediately.
• Most patients are using the hand for light tasks within 24–48 hours.

Week 1

• Return to a desk job within days.
• Sutures absorbable; small adhesive plaster only.

Week 2–4

• Return to manual work.
• Grip strength returns to near-normal.

Month 1–6

• Numbness improves gradually as the nerve recovers.

Rehabilitation protocol for your physiotherapist

A written, procedure-specific rehabilitation protocol is provided to your physiotherapist at discharge. Physiotherapists can request it via the For Physiotherapists page.

Recovery timeline for you

Day 0–1

• Discharge home from day surgery within a few hours of waking.
• Soft splint and a sling for comfort. Regional block (if used) covers the first 12–18 hours of pain.
• Fingers actively moved from the first afternoon — this prevents the stiff hand that used to be the most common problem after wrist surgery.

Week 1–2

• Wound check at the rooms or with the local GP at day 10–14.
• Hand therapy commences within the first week — gentle active wrist range of motion, finger work, oedema control, scar massage once the wound is sealed.
• Light activities of daily living — eating, dressing, computer work — resume as comfort allows.
• Return to non-manual desk work within 1–2 weeks for most patients.

Week 2–6

• Splint discontinued at the first or second hand-therapy visit.
• Active and active-assisted range of motion progressing under therapy supervision.
• Driving resumed at 4–6 weeks once the wrist is comfortable and a safe emergency stop is possible.
• Six-week X-rays confirm bony union is progressing.

Week 6–12

• Strengthening commences in hand therapy.
• Light manual work and household tasks at 6–8 weeks.
• Lifting restrictions are progressed by the hand therapist based on functional assessment.

Month 3–12

• Return to heavy manual work and impact-loaded sport at 3–4 months in most patients.
• Final functional outcome at 9–12 months. Most patients regain near-normal grip and motion; a small loss of the last few degrees of wrist extension or supination is common.

Rehabilitation protocol for your physiotherapist

A written, procedure-specific rehabilitation protocol is provided to your physiotherapist at discharge. Physiotherapists can request it via the For Physiotherapists page.

Recovery timeline for you

Week 1

• Comfort sling for 3–5 days.
• Active range of motion of the elbow from day 1.
• Return to a desk job within the week.

Week 2–6

• Wound check at 10–14 days; sutures removed if not absorbable.
• Heavier activity introduced.
• Return to manual work at 4–6 weeks.

Months 1–6

• Numbness and tingling improve gradually as the nerve recovers.
• Established weakness recovers incompletely; this is why earlier surgery is preferred.

Rehabilitation protocol for your physiotherapist

A written, procedure-specific rehabilitation protocol is provided to your physiotherapist at discharge. Physiotherapists can request it via the For Physiotherapists page.