Shoulder Surgery Rehabilitation

What to Expect When You Visit Our Physiotherapist for Shoulder Surgery

When you visit us after shoulder surgery, we assess your shoulder mobility, pain, and strength while respecting surgical healing timelines. Treatment progresses from gentle mobility and pain control to strengthening and functional use of the arm. We guide you through each stage of recovery to restore movement and stability.

Time to favourable outcome

4–9 months typical

Start Median: 6 months Favourable outcome
100% 75% 50% 25% 0%
0mo2.3mo4.5mo6.8mo9mo

Results Comparison

Physio Recovery Rate

With TCM 75% – 90%
No Treatment / Spontaneous 40% – 65%
How Does the Treatment Work?
Manual Therapy Supports pain control and safe mobility recovery.
Exercise Rehab Staged strengthening restores shoulder stability and function.

Sustained Relief (%)

3 / 6 / 12 months
3 months 60%
6 months 78%
12 months 85%

Factors Influencing Recovery Speed

Following Sling Protocols

• Respecting surgical timelines protects healing tissue. • The right amount of movement helps avoid unnecessary stiffness.

Gradual Exercise Progression

• Mobility, strength and function should build step by step. • Consistent exercises usually improve confidence with arm use.

Early Overuse

• Loading the shoulder too soon may irritate healing tissue. • Re-injury or poor compliance can delay functional recovery.

Inadequate Strength Progression

• Stiffness and weak shoulder control can limit return to activity. • Progress often slows when strength is not rebuilt gradually.

How do we estimate outcomes?

We combine insights from published research, our own experience and that of our peers, along with typical treatment timelines and conservative modelling assumptions, to map out common trajectories. The ranges presented reflect our experience only.

Important Disclaimer

This tool is intended for visualisation and general educational purposes only, to help clients gain a broad understanding of some common conditions managed by our practitioners. It is based on practitioner experience and selected published research. It does not account for individual circumstances, including your specific condition, medical history, medications, or other personal factors. Health conditions are complex, and outcomes can vary significantly between individuals. Our treatments are not a substitute for medical care provided by your healthcare professional. You should always follow the advice and treatment plan recommended by your medical practitioner, and consult them directly for guidance specific to your situation.