Ice and electrical stimulation treatments may be used during your first few therapy sessions to help control pain and swelling from the surgery. Your therapist may also use massage and other types of hands-on treatments to ease muscle spasm and pain. Therapy can progress quickly after a simple arthroscopic resection. You just need to be careful to avoid doing too much, too quickly. Therapy goes slower after surgeries where the shoulder muscles have been cut.
Exercises begin with passive movements.
In passive exercises, your shoulder joint is moved, but your muscles stay relaxed. Your therapist gently moves your joint and gradually stretches your arm. You may be taught how to do passive exercises at home. Active therapy starts four to six weeks after surgery. You may begin with light isometric strengthening exercises.