ARTHROSCOPIC SUBACROMIAL DECOMPRESSION

(With or without distal clavicle resection)

 

Stage I (0-4 weeks)

4-5 visits in 4 weeks

Patient can wear sling 1-2 days.

  1. AAROM (wand exercises)/AROM program – see wand exercise sheet.
  2. Rotator cuff free weight exercises per shoulder strengthening program 4 days per week

    1. Isotonic exercises 1-8 as tolerated – start against gravity without weights –

progress as tolerated to:

- 2 oz (butter knife)

- 4 oz (tuna can)

- 8 oz (soup can)

- 1# weight

- 2# weight, etc.

2. Repetitions – 25 reps before adding/progressing weights.

C. Scapular stabilization exercises #1-7.

D. Ice following exercises

  1. Scar mobilization

*GOAL: Full AROM at 4 weeks with no pain. No inflammation.

Stage II (5+ weeks)

2-3 visits over 2 months

  1. Progress on rotator cuff free weight program independently 4 days per week.
  2. Scapular stabilization exercise #8.
  3. GOAL: 2-3% ideal body weight for 25 reps and maximum weight by 3 months post-op

*GOAL: Return to sports or work at 1-3 months post-op without restrictions.

Return to work per M.D. with restrictions.

7 days/week for stretching/ice – 4 days/week for strengthening

NO INFLAMMATION!

 

This protocol provides you with general guidelines for the rehabilitation of the Arthroscopic Subacromial Decompression patient. Specific changes in the program will be made by the physician as appropriate for an individual patient. If you have any questions regarding the progress of the patient, the physician should be contacted.