Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty — (rTSA)

NYU Langone Health · Dr. Daniel J. Kaplan, MD

Weight-Bearing

N/A

Key Restrictions

Sling 24/7 x2 wks then wean; avoid shoulder extension (elbow must stay in front of body at all times); avoid IR/ADD/EXT (no hand behind back); avoid IR/ADD (no reaching across chest) — both to prevent dislocation; no weight bearing through operative arm; no upper body ergometer (permanent); max 3 lbs hand weights for deltoid in Phase 4; no heavy lifting or overhead sports (permanent)

Timeline & Phases

Phase 1: 0-2 wks (PROM only, sling 24/7); Phase 2: 2-6 wks (PROM, deltoid isometrics at wk 4); Phase 3: 6-12 wks (AROM, wean sling); Phase 4: 12+ months (strengthening, max 3 lbs deltoid)

Notes

No upper body ergometer at any stage; strengthening permanently limited to avoid prosthesis stress

Surgeon / Author

Dr. Daniel J. Kaplan, MD

Published

2024-07