Shoulder Instability Rehabilitation Protocols
12 Shoulder Instability rehabilitation protocols from 4 institutions, published 2019–2025. Weight-bearing progressions vary by institution — compare them in the table below before selecting a protocol.
Compare by institution
| Institution | Weight-Bearing | Key Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Michael C. Fu MD (Hospital for Special Surgery)… | N/A | Sling 3 weeks; avoid stress on anterior shoulder; no forced stretching; progressive ER limits (neutral wk 1… |
| Dr. Michael C. Fu MD (Hospital for Special Surgery) — Bankart… | N/A | All ER ROM must be passive for first 6 wks; no cross-body or sleeper stretch until 12+ wks; no ER resistance… |
| Dr. Michael C. Fu MD (Hospital for Special Surgery)… | N/A | Full immobilizer day and night for 4 weeks; ER limited to passive 30 and FF to passive 90 for 4 wks; no… |
| Dr. Michael C. Fu MD (Hospital for Special Surgery)… | N/A | Immobilizer 3 weeks; ROM limit in Phase I: 90 FF, 45 IR, 90 abduction; no posterior capsule stretching; keep… |
| Dr. Michael C. Fu MD (Hospital for Special Surgery)… | N/A | Avoid positions of instability throughout all phases; no forced end-range movements |
| iOrtho — Anterior Bankart Repair | Sling at all times (neutral rotation, 30-45 deg ABD) wks 0-5; sleep in sling 6 wks; D/C… | No AROM wks 0-5; no carrying objects until 12 wks; avoid ABD/ER; no lifting >10lbs wks 6-11; driving per MD… |
| iOrtho — Latarjet Repair | Sling at night only; D/C wk 6 or per MD | No PROM ER past neutral until wk 5; no shoulder AROM until wk 5; no lifting objects; no supporting body… |
| Saint Louis University (SLUCare) — Anterior Instability Repair | N/A | Sling at all times wks 1-4; passive FF limit 90 deg and ER/extension to neutral only wks 1-3; AAER limit 30… |
| Saint Louis University (SLUCare) — Arthroscopic / Open… | N/A | ER sling at all times including sleep wks 0-4; no active abduction/horizontal adduction/FF/IR wks 0-4… |
| Saint Louis University (SLUCare) — Coracoid Transfer /… | N/A | Sling at all times including sleep mo 0-1; DC sling at wk 4; no active abduction/FF/ER mo 0-1; passive FF… |
| Saint Louis University (SLUCare) — Posterior Instability… | N/A | Sling at all times wks 1-4; protect posterior capsule from stretch throughout; limit IR and horizontal… |
| University of New Mexico (UNM) Sports Medicine — Bankart… | N/A (upper extremity) | Sling x 4-6 weeks (remove 3x/day for exercises); ER limited to 45 degrees until 12 weeks; IR limited to 45… |
All 12 Shoulder Instability protocols
Shoulder Instability — Anterior Capsule / Bankart Repair
Dr. Michael C. Fu MD (Hospital for Special Surgery)
Shoulder Instability — Bankart Repair with Remplissage
Dr. Michael C. Fu MD (Hospital for Special Surgery)
Shoulder Instability — Latarjet Procedure / Anterior Bone Block
Dr. Michael C. Fu MD (Hospital for Special Surgery)
Shoulder Instability — Posterior Shoulder Stabilization
Dr. Michael C. Fu MD (Hospital for Special Surgery)
Non-Operative — Shoulder Instability (Non-Operative)
Dr. Michael C. Fu MD (Hospital for Special Surgery)
Shoulder Instability — Anterior Bankart Repair
iOrtho
Shoulder Instability — Latarjet Repair
iOrtho
Shoulder Instability — Anterior Instability Repair
Saint Louis University (SLUCare)
Shoulder Instability — Arthroscopic / Open Capsular Shift
Saint Louis University (SLUCare)
Shoulder Instability — Coracoid Transfer / Glenoid Bone Grafting
Saint Louis University (SLUCare)
Shoulder Instability — Posterior Instability Repair
Saint Louis University (SLUCare)
Shoulder Instability — Bankart Repair and Latarjet
University of New Mexico (UNM) Sports Medicine