Cardio Exercise After Shoulder Surgery

Shoulder surgery is a big procedure, and the individual may have greater discomfort afterward than before. The discomfort can sometimes be so intense that the sufferer cannot even sleep. Cardio Exercise after shoulder surgery can help recovery and pain.

This is because the tendons in the shoulder blade, especially with external rotation, require time to recuperate from rotator cuff repair surgery. Shoulder replacement surgery, rotator cuff repairs, and arthroscopic surgery might take a few weeks to many months for the healing process.

Your orthopedic surgeon might recommend that you undertake simple exercises, band exercises, or physical therapy for 10 to 15 minutes twice a day to prevent tightness and avoid stiffness and torn tendons. These one-armed exercises may vary from one person to the next.

The type of shoulder surgery exercise you undertake varies with the kind of shoulder surgery. If you start exercising soon after shoulder surgery, then it can help you improve your shoulder pain and stiffness.

This article describes arm and conditioning exercises that you may perform at home to help your recovery and lessen your discomfort. So, keep reading.

What is Shoulder Surgery?

It is used to repair a shoulder injury or deteriorated shoulder joint. It’s a procedure for several disorders and ailments affecting the upper arm region. Rotator cuff repair, postoperative immobilization, and shoulder instability are all prevalent. Shoulder surgery might help an injured shoulder joint regain strength, flexibility, and function.

This surgery is a common but substantial procedure with significant risks. Always explore other options, such as physical therapy, injections, NSAID’s and rest before making up your mind about shoulder surgery. Seek out a physical therapist for advice on your physical therapy options. Surgery can be an option if all other means fail.

This surgery recovery might take a few weeks to a few months. Your personal trainer might prescribe that you do cardio exercise for 20 minutes daily to avoid injury and re-injury. These exercises will differ between individuals.

The kind of exercises you do depends on the shoulder surgery you underwent. Exercising after shoulder surgery can assist in strengthening the affected muscles, and recover from your physical limitations.

Cardio Exercise & Physical Therapy

Cardiovascular exercise is an essential foundation of a balanced lifestyle. Moderate cardio may be highly advantageous to your shoulder repair if done correctly.

Cardio Exercise After Shoulder Surgery

Stationary bike, strolling, jogging, swimming, stair climbing, and elliptical machines are cardio workouts. However, it is usually better to wait until those stages of healing have passed before undertaking more difficult workouts.

Physical therapy will help you maintain your motion and slowly increase your physical health.

A person who has gone through shoulder surgery can start walking right after. They can ride a stationary bike soon after surgery but not a road and mountain bike. They can start running at around six weeks as well as elliptical exercise. 

Jogging & Walking

If you’re confined inside, jogging and walking in place is one of the easiest methods of cardiac exercise. There is no outward motion or atmospheric resistance, and it does not require the same energy as running outside. Running around the home or up and down or walking the stairs might help you exercise. Here are some tips:

• Begin by walking in place with your legs up.
• Each time you jog, move your feet closer to your hips as you warm up.
• Slowly advance the jog quicker, or raise your knees to increase the intensity. Be mindful of your injured shoulder. If you feel discomfort stop.
• Continue for as long as possible, anything from 30 seconds to several minutes. This exercise can also be done as part of a cardio loop.

Stationary Bike & Elliptical Exercise

You don’t have to be a couch potato after surgery, even if your arm is in a bandage. Seek medical advice about exercising regularly during the first weeks. After shoulder surgery, the stationary bike is an excellent method to gain some cardio. However, you should avoid using the elliptical since it is far too easy to lose your balance and fall. 

After a few weeks, your physical therapist or doctor decides when you can start doing some physical activity. Keep ensuring that your injured arm should not flex. With your doctor’s permission, you might be allowed to conduct conditioning activities, such as one-arm workouts with the arm that isn’t affected. There are many exercises that you can do with dumb bells.

Benefits of Cardio Exercise After Shoulder Surgery For The Shoulder Joint

Cardio exercise after shoulder surgery is effective in a variety of ways. As Your knees aren’t engaged in this surgery, you usually start earlier than with other procedures.

• It stimulates blood flow, which helps to relieve soreness and rigidity.
• It helps avoid future injuries by strengthening the shoulder and back muscles.
• It can assist in proper scar tissue growth and avoid the formation of early contractures after surgery.
• Cardio activity can assist you in getting back into form and losing weight more quickly after surgery.
• It can improve your physical health and strengthen your core and low back muscles.
• Cardio activity can help you sleep better and enhance your emotions.

Risks & Tips of Cardio Exercise Post Surgery

Cardio workouts after surgery provide the greatest risk of injuring your operative region. This can occur if you use your shoulder too soon after healing or fall backward while attempting to climb aboard or operate cardio machines.

Swimming too hard shortly after surgery might strain your shoulder girdle and muscles if you undertake a stroke like a butterfly. Here are some useful indicators to see whether you’re doing something faster or for more than you need to:

• You may experience discomfort both during and after one exercise.
• While participating in a good workout, you may begin to experience muscular spasms.
• If any of these occur, reduce the intensity and duration of the exercise by half and gradually increase depending on endurance, so you do not hinder healing.
• If you have any concerns, speak with a qualified doctor about your case.

Tips For Cardio Exercises

After shoulder surgery, the ideal situation for cardiac activity is to achieve a good stretch without hurting the shoulder. Following are some suggestions for exercising following surgery:

• All cardiac workouts should be done with your sling on. Especially early on after surgery.
• You have to start slowly, even if it’s only for 5 minutes for the first few sessions. You have to work out to ensure that your shoulder can handle it.
• When you get on and off with the workout equipment, be particularly cautious because this is when most falls occur. If your body can’t take it, shift to light cardio exercise.
• During the cardiac activity and resistance training, try to avoid engaging your arm muscles and keep your arm relaxed. Always consider your posture and avoid leaning back or placing your arm on anything that might cause unexpected arm usage.
• Cardio activity should be avoided following shoulder surgery until you have obtained clearance from your doctor.

Final Thoughts

After shoulder surgery, you can do cardiac exercise, including walking, running, swimming, stair climbing, and elliptical machines. They are beneficial for you if you do them correctly and with your doctor’s recommendation.

If you are concerned or experiencing discomfort, please get medical counsel about your specific circumstances. Do not force yourself to endure the agony. Cardio exercise can help lessen discomfort and rigidity, improve flexibility surrounding the shoulder and back muscles, help in damaged tissue development, and enhance mood and quality of sleep.