To get the best therapeutic results in shoulder operations, attention should be paid to professional rehabilitation after the procedure. One important point is the correct choice of the intensity of exercise. On the one hand, excessive irritation of the tissues must be avoided, because this prolongs the rehabilitation process or even endangers it. On the other hand, the training program should not be too modest, because the correct amount of exercise can stimulate the nutrition of the tissues and counteract adhesions.

As soon as the tissue has healed adequately after an operation, the next step is to restore the range of motion of the arm and to train the muscle groups which are responsible for shoulder stability (promotion of dynamic stability). Besides a well thought-out strengthening and coordination program, special stretching exercises are necessary.

Cold or heat treatments?

Local cold treatments, such as ice packs, are usually helpful only for the first two or three days after shoulder operations. Beyond that, brief heat applications are useful; they stimulate lymphatic transport much better and thus promote the reduction of swelling much more efficiently.

With shoulder problems, heat can also be a good idea for reducing tone or relaxing muscles, because shortened shoulder muscles can lead to one-sided stress on the joint and impede the healing process. The local application of moist heat (hot roll) is one of the procedures which have proved their worth, as it often assists muscular relaxation.