Can You Move Your Shoulder After Shoulder Replacement?

A common question is, can you move your shoulder after shoulder replacement surgery? Honestly, it depends on which surgeon you choose.

Many surgeons will ask you to stand in a sling for six weeks and do little motion. We are not that way.

With our techniques, our rehab techniques, and the fact that we’re high-volume, we know what shoulder replacements can and can’t do safely. So we allow full elevation right after the operation, or at least elevation up to the head, for all activities of daily living. You could move your shoulder right away and you could move your arm.

For many of our patients, that’s a huge relief because they fear they won’t be able to move their arm for six weeks. They’re like, “Oh my gosh, how the heck am I going to live my life without being able to use my arm? I have to use my arm.” And so we let them use their arm right away.

So you can just live your life. We want to fix your shoulder and we don’t want it to be this horrible journey to be done. You can move right away.