Early recovery exercises after shoulder surgery

In this blog, we cover what the early recovery phase usually focuses on, and how simple exercises can support your recovery.

It has been developed with insights from Jakub Chudy, Managing Partner and Physiotherapist at HBF Physio Cockburn, and reflects his clinical experience supporting people through recovery.

Why early movement matters after shoulder surgery (even when you’re in a sling)

After shoulder surgery, the aim of early rehabilitation isn’t to build strength – it’s to protect, heal, manage pain and maintain gentle movement. Clinical rehabilitation guidelines emphasise that early, controlled exercises can help to:

• Reduce stiffness
• Support circulation and healing
• Maintain movement in nearby joints like your elbow, wrist, and hand
• Lower the risk of long term restriction in shoulder movement.

Alongside gentle movement, early recovery also focuses on protecting the surgical site and managing swelling. This often includes using a sling to support and protect your shoulder while it heals and icing regularly to help reduce swelling and ease discomfort.

For many shoulder surgeries, a sling is worn most of the time for the first four to six weeks, to help protect healing tissues, with exact timing guided by your surgeon and physiotherapist.

Gentle exercises commonly used in early recovery after shoulder surgery

Pendulum (swinging) movements: These exercises allow the arm to move passively using gravity, rather than muscle effort. This encourages shoulder movement while keeping the muscles relaxed.

Assisted arm lifts: Using your non operated arm or a support (like a table or wall), assisted movements help maintain shoulder range without straining healing tissues.

Elbow, wrist and hand movement: Rehabilitation guidelines strongly recommend keeping the joints below the shoulder moving throughout recovery to prevent stiffness and swelling.

Pain should always be your guide. Doing too much, too soon can delay healing rather than speed it up. These, and any exercises, should always be performed within comfort limits and under professional advice.

What to avoid in the early phase after shoulder surgery

Early recovery is as much about what you don’t do as what you do. Guidelines consistently advise avoid forcing movement, lifting or resistance work, and sacrificing movement quality just to gain range.

Overloading the shoulder too early can place unnecessary stress on healing structures and slow progress. This phase is always guided by comfort and quality of movement, not pushing through pain.

A quick reassurance if recovery feels slow after shoulder surgery

It’s completely normal for shoulder recovery to take time. It can take months to regain strength after shoulder surgery – and not everyone returns to pre injury strength levels.

That’s why early recovery focuses on safe foundations, not speed. Gentle exercises done consistently – and guided by your healthcare team — set you up for better mobility and strength later on.

Rehabilitation should always be individualised, based on the type of shoulder surgery, the condition of the tendon or joint before surgery and your surgeon’s and physiotherapist’s instructions.

How can HBF help?

If you have eligible extras cover with HBF, you may be able to claim benefits for visits to a physiotherapist. Physio is often a key part of post-surgery recovery, helping you regain strength, manage pain, and improve mobility.

A qualified physiotherapist can:

• Assess your recovery progress and tailor a rehab plan to your specific needs
• Provide targeted exercises to gradually rebuild strength, flexibility and range of motion while minimising re injury risk
• Help manage pain, using techniques such as gentle movement, stretching and hands on therapy
• Offer ongoing support, adjusting your plan as your recovery progresses so you can return to daily activities safely and confidently