Shoulder Stabilization Rehabilitation Protocols
10 Shoulder Stabilization rehabilitation protocols from 5 institutions, published 2017–2025. Weight-bearing progressions vary by institution — compare them in the table below before selecting a protocol.
Compare by institution
| Institution | Weight-Bearing | Key Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Mammoth Orthopedic Institute / Sierra Park PT — Global… | N/A (shoulder) — sling x6 weeks | Sling x6 weeks; PROM only x6 weeks; ER/IR in neutral limited to 30 deg x6 weeks; no pendulums x6 weeks; MDI… |
| Mammoth Orthopedic Institute / Sierra Park PT — Posterior /… | N/A (shoulder) — postoperative brace in 30-45 deg abduction, 15 deg ER x4-6 weeks (all… | Postop brace in 30-45 deg ABD and 15 deg ER x4-6 weeks; no overhead activity; no flexion or ABD x4 weeks… |
| Massachusetts General Hospital — Latarjet Procedure | Sling; no PROM ER past neutral until wk 5; no AROM until wk 5 | No PROM ER past neutral until wk 5; no AROM until wk 5; subscapularis protection; significant long-term ER… |
| Mountain Orthopaedics — Arthroscopic Bankart Repair | N/A; sling and swathe full time day and night x 4 wks | Avoid ABD/ER combination x 8 wks to protect anterior inferior glenohumeral ligament complex; no bench… |
| Mountain Orthopaedics — Arthroscopic Capsulorrhaphy Posterior… | N/A; sling and swathe full time day and night x 4 wks | No IR past anterior axillary line (posterior repair precaution); avoid bench press/flies/military… |
| University Orthopedics (Brown University) — Bankart Repair… | N/A (upper extremity) | Sling x 6 weeks (including sleep); ER limited to 80% of opposite shoulder initially; no open Bankart IR… |
| University Orthopedics (Brown University) — Posterior… | N/A (upper extremity) | Sling x 6 weeks in neutral rotation (not IR); no IR x 6 weeks; maintain shoulder out of IR throughout early… |
| University Orthopedics (Brown University) — SLAP Repair… | N/A (upper extremity) | Sling x 6 weeks (including sleep); ER limited to 30° initially, progressing gradually; no contact sports… |
| UW Health Sports Medicine — Arthroscopic Capsular Shift… | N/A (shoulder surgery) | Sling 6 weeks (more restrictive than Bankart); no shoulder IR past neutral weeks 1-6; no IR with abduction… |
| UW Health Sports Medicine — Distal Tibial Allograft (DTA)… | N/A (shoulder surgery) | Sling 4 weeks Phase I (no AROM); sling 6-8 weeks total; no ER >20° in neutral until Phase III; flexion/ABD… |
All 10 Shoulder Stabilization protocols
Shoulder Stabilization — Global Shoulder Stabilization — Multi-Directional and Chronic Instability
Mammoth Orthopedic Institute / Sierra Park PT
Shoulder Stabilization — Posterior / Posterior-Inferior Capsular Shift
Mammoth Orthopedic Institute / Sierra Park PT
Shoulder Stabilization — Latarjet Procedure
Massachusetts General Hospital
Shoulder Stabilization — Arthroscopic Bankart Repair
Mountain Orthopaedics
Shoulder Stabilization — Arthroscopic Capsulorrhaphy Posterior Bankart Repair
Mountain Orthopaedics
Shoulder Stabilization — Bankart Repair (Anterior Stabilization)
University Orthopedics (Brown University)
Shoulder Stabilization — Posterior Capsulorrhaphy / Reverse Bankart Repair
University Orthopedics (Brown University)
Shoulder Stabilization — SLAP Repair (Isolated)
University Orthopedics (Brown University)
Shoulder Stabilization — Arthroscopic Capsular Shift (Multi-Directional Instability)
UW Health Sports Medicine
Shoulder Stabilization — Distal Tibial Allograft (DTA) Anterior Shoulder Stabilization
UW Health Sports Medicine