Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty

Gundersen Health System (GLSM) · Dr. Lehman

Weight-Bearing

No weightbearing through the surgical extremity Phase I-II (0-8 wks); sling at all times x 4 wks

Key Restrictions

Protect subscapularis repair; ER ROM limited to 20 deg wks 0-4, 30 deg wks 5-6, 45 deg wks 7-8; no AROM of the shoulder wks 0-4; no active IR x 6 wks; no reaching behind the back x 6 wks; no lifting, pushing or pulling wks 0-4, then no lifting >1 lb wks 4-8; no weight restrictions from wk 8

Timeline & Phases

3 phases: Phase I (0-4 wks, maximum protection, PROM/AAROM, deltoid sub-max isometrics at wk 2), Phase II (4-8 wks, ROM phase, AROM goal >100 deg flexion and abduction, active IR at wk 6), Phase III (8-12+ wks, strength phase, deltoid isotonics, CKC exercises, goal 5/5 deltoid and IR strength at 12+ wks)

Notes

Evidence-based; first PT visit 2 wks post-op; deltoid sub-max isometrics strongly encouraged due to the deltoid's role in elevation after reverse TSA; PT 1-2x/wk in Phase II, every 2-3 wks in Phase III; return to golf, swimming and biking once cleared by medical provider

Surgeon / Author

Dr. Lehman

Published

2023