Total Shoulder Replacement Reverse Shoulder Replacement

Written By Martin Spitzeck

Total Shoulder Replacement & Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement Physiotherapy

Shoulder replacement surgery can be life-changing — reducing pain, restoring movement, and helping you get back to everyday tasks. However, the quality of your recovery depends heavily on physiotherapy. Whether you’ve had a total shoulder replacement or a reverse total shoulder replacement, structured rehabilitation is essential to regain strength, movement, and confidence in your shoulder.

At Bacchus Marsh Physiotherapy, we guide you through every stage of recovery with clear progressions and hands-on care tailored to your surgery.

Understanding shoulder replacement surgery

Total shoulder replacement

A total shoulder replacement is commonly performed for:

  • Advanced shoulder arthritis

  • Painful stiffness with preserved rotator cuff function

  • Long-standing joint degeneration

The aim is to restore smoother movement and reduce pain while protecting the repaired joint structures.

Reverse total shoulder replacement

A reverse shoulder replacement is often used when:

  • The rotator cuff is severely torn or non-functional

  • There is arthritis combined with tendon damage

  • Previous shoulder surgery has failed

This surgery relies more on the deltoid muscle to move the arm, making targeted physiotherapy critical for success.

Why physiotherapy is essential after shoulder replacement

Surgery replaces the joint — rehabilitation retrains the shoulder. Without proper physiotherapy, stiffness, weakness, or poor movement patterns can limit your outcome.

Physiotherapy helps to:

  • Restore safe shoulder movement

  • Rebuild strength and control

  • Prevent compensatory neck and upper back pain

  • Improve confidence using the arm

  • Return you to daily tasks, work, and hobbies

Our physiotherapy approach

1. Early protection & pain control (Weeks 0–6)

In the early phase, the focus is safe healing and gentle movement.

We help with:

  • Understanding sling use and precautions

  • Pain and swelling management

  • Gentle assisted range of motion

  • Elbow, wrist, and hand mobility

  • Postural advice to reduce neck and upper back strain

All exercises are aligned with your surgeon’s protocol.

2. Restoring movement & control (Weeks 6–12)

As healing progresses, we gradually increase shoulder activity.

This phase focuses on:

  • Improving shoulder mobility without irritation

  • Scapular (shoulder blade) control

  • Gentle activation of rotator cuff or deltoid (depending on surgery type)

  • Reducing stiffness with safe hands-on techniques

  • Improving functional use of the arm below shoulder height

3. Strength & functional rehab (Weeks 12+)

This is where long-term outcomes are built.

We progress:

  • Shoulder and upper limb strength

  • Deltoid and scapular endurance (especially important after reverse replacement)

  • Lifting, reaching, and pushing tolerance

  • Functional tasks such as dressing, driving, and household activities

  • Gradual return to gym, gardening, golf, or work demands

Reverse shoulder replacement: special considerations

Because a reverse shoulder replacement relies more on the deltoid muscle, rehab often emphasises:

  • Deltoid strengthening and endurance

  • Controlled overhead movement (as appropriate)

  • Shoulder blade positioning

  • Confidence using the arm in daily tasks

We carefully progress loads to protect the joint while maximising function.

Who we treat

We commonly help people with:

  • Total shoulder replacement rehabilitation

  • Reverse total shoulder replacement rehabilitation

  • Post-operative shoulder stiffness

  • Ongoing weakness or pain after surgery

  • Difficulty returning to daily activities or hobbies

  • Delayed recovery or loss of confidence using the arm

Why choose Bacchus Marsh Physiotherapy?

  • Clear, stage-based rehab plans

  • Hands-on treatment where appropriate

  • Strength-focused rehabilitation

  • One-on-one guidance and progress tracking

  • Practical advice for real-life activities

Book your shoulder physiotherapy appointment

If you’ve had a total shoulder replacement or reverse total shoulder replacement, the right physiotherapy can make all the difference to your outcome.

Book online or contact Bacchus Marsh Physiotherapy today and let’s rebuild your shoulder strength, movement, and confidence.

 

Martin Spitzeck
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