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Rehabilitation after Arthroscopic Posterior Bankart Repair

Phase 1:  0 to 2 weeks after surgery
 
POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
 
You will wake up in the operating room.  A sling and an ice pack will be in place.  You will go to the recovery room and generally will be discharged after 1-2 hours. You can get out of bed when
you wish.  Apply ice to the shoulder to reduce pain and swelling. You may remove the sling whenever you wish and gently move the elbow, wrist and fingers.  Follow Dr. Gill’s instructions regarding moving your shoulder after surgery.
 
GOALS:
             1.   Control pain and swelling
             2.   Protect the repair
             3.   Begin early shoulder motion
 
ACTIVITIES WHEN YOU GO HOME:
 
1.  Apply ice to the shoulder as tolerated to reduce pain and swelling.  You can change the dressing to a smaller one to allow the cold therapy to reach the shoulder.
2. Remove the sling on the first day after surgery.  Move your elbow, fingers and hand several times a day.
3.  Begin the pendulum exercise several times a day:
 
Pendulum exercise
Bend over at the waist and let the arm hang down.  Using your body to initiate movement, swing the arm gently forward and backward and in a circular motion. Repeat for 2 to 3 minutes at a time.
 
4. Remove the outer dressing on the second day after surgery and shower.  Leave the little pieces of tape (steri-strips) in place.  You can get the wound wet after 2 days in a shower, but do not soak in a tub. To wash under the operated arm, bend over at the waist and let the arm passively swing away from the body.  It is safe to wash under the arm in this position.
5. You may use your hand on the operated arm as long as you do not raise the hand above your head or reach across the front of your body.  Also, do not reach your hand behind you as if to tuck in your shirt or to loop your belt. You should bend your arm at the elbow and use your fingers and hand, such as to reach up and touch your face.  Keep your elbow in front of you.
6.  Call the doctor’s office for any concerns, including, but not limited to, severe pain, fevers, chills or redness.
 
OFFICE VISIT: Please arrange to return to Dr. Gill’s office 7-14 days after surgery for examination and further instructions.              
 
 
Rehabilitation after Arthroscopic Posterior Bankart Repair
 
Phase One:  5 to 6 weeks after surgery
 
Goals:
• Gradual increase in ROM
• Improve strength
• Decrease pain/inflammation
• Protect the labrum repair
 
Activities:
 
1.  Sling
The sling is no longer necessary.
 
2.  Use of the operated arm
You may now carefully use your arm. Avoid having the arm forcefully pulled behind you or across your chest in front of you.  Continue to avoid heavy weight lifting or manual labor.  Follow any further instructions given to you by your doctor.
 
3.  Precautions
You may use your hand on the operated arm as long as you do not raise the hand above your head or reach across the front of your body.  Also, do not reach your hand behind you as if to tuck in your shirt or to loop your belt. You should bend your arm at the elbow and use your fingers and hand, such as to reach up and touch your face.  Keep your elbow in front of you.  Do not bear the weight of the body on your arm.
 
4.  Ice
Use ice or cold as necessary 15-20 minutes.
 
 
STRETCHING / ACTIVE MOTION
Days per week:  7     Times per day:  1-3
 
Program:
Pendulum exercises                                            
Supine External Rotation
Hands-behind-head stretch
Standing external rotation stretch                                                          
Supine forward flexion:
   Limit 140º week 6                                
STRENGTHENING EXERCISES  
Days per week:  7
Times per day:  1
 
Theraband internal and external rotation:
(internal rotation to neutral only)
Standing forward flexion to 90ï‚° (scaption)
Prone row
Prone extension
Biceps curl
Sidelying external rotation
           

 

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