Information for patients
This leaflet can be made available in other formats including large print, CD and Braille and in languages other than English, upon request.
This leaflet informs you about stage one post-operative exercises and advice following subacromial decompression and/or excision of the distal clavicle.
Before you are discharged, a member of the inpatient therapy team will guide you through the exercises. They will provide you with advice and answer any questions you may have.
You will then be contacted by the outpatient’s physiotherapy team, who will provide you with advice and exercises to aid in your recovery.
For how long should I wear my sling?
The sling provided is used for comfort and should be discarded once the nerve block has fully worn off. Do not remove the sling until you have full feeling back in your arm.
This usually takes between 12 – 48 hours.
Once you have removed the sling, you can use your shoulder as normally as comfort allows and start your exercises as shown.
What can I do to help myself?
It is very important to get as much movement back in your shoulder as soon as you can. This will mean you can start to use your shoulder normally and perform your daily functions.
Managing your pain and doing your exercises every day will help this to happen quicker. If you require it, pain relief can be very useful to help minimise any pain and give you the confidence to exercise and use your shoulder.
If you have been given pain relief, you should take as prescribed.
You should always read the label if using over-the-counter medication and, if you are in any doubt, speak to your pharmacist or GP.
If your pain becomes severe or is continuous, you should contact your GP.
What exercises should I do following my surgery?
You should aim to perform the following exercises 3 times a day. Perform 10 repetitions, have a rest for 1 minute and repeat a further 10 times.
It is normal for you to feel aching, discomfort or stretching feelings when doing these exercises. If you experience intense and lasting pain (e.g. longer than 30 minutes) do the exercises less forcefully or less often. If this does not help, discuss the problem with the Physiotherapist.
Exercise 1: Seated table slides
While sitting, rest your hands on a table. Using a duster or similar object, lean forwards and slide your hands away from your body to as far as comfortable and then return to the start position.
Shoulder flexion:
Two examples have been provided. Try both exercises and find the one that is most comfortable for you and perform that one.
Exercise 2a: Shoulder flexion
Lying on your back, knees bent and feet flat. Head support if need.
Hold a stick or similar object with hands at shoulder-width apart. Starting with the stick resting on your thighs, lift the stick with straight arms. Return to the start position.
Note: If you are unable to lay flat, you can perform the exercises while sitting, high lying with pillows for support or while standing. Find which position is most comfortable for you.
Exercise 2b: Shoulder flexion
Stand in front of a high table, place both hands on top of the table. Walk backwards away from the table, as far as you are comfortably able to. Leave your hands supported on the table, allowing your shoulders to flex. Walk forwards, returning to the start position.
Exercise 3: Shoulder external rotation
While sitting with your elbow supported on a table like in the image above, hold a stick or similar object. Use your unaffected arm to push the stick outwards to rotate your operated arm as far as you can and return to the start position.
Exercise 4: Shoulder abduction
Lying on your back, knees bent and feet flat. Head support if needed.
Hold a stick or similar object with hands at shoulder width apart. With the unaffected arm push the stick moving the operative arm away from the body in a diagonal movement up and out to the side. Return to the start position. Note: If you are unable to lay flat you can perform these exercises in sitting, high lying with pillows for support or standing.
Contact numbers
Upper Limb Secretary
Monday to Friday 09:00am – 05:00pm
Telephone: 01642 624442
Physiotherapy Appointment Queries
Monday to Friday 09:00am-05:00pm
Telephone: 01429 522471
Ward32/33
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Telephone: 01642 382832/ 01642 382732
Leven Unit
Monday – Thursday, 7.00 am – 8.00 pm
Fridays, 7.00am -7.00pm
Telephone: 01642 383832
Other useful links
North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
Upper Limb (Shoulder, elbow, hand and wrist surgery) – patient information.
https://www.nth.nhs.uk/services/trauma-orthopaedics/upper-limb/
North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
A video version of the leaflet was developed to demonstrate the individual exercises. The video can be viewed using the link below:
https://www.nth.nhs.uk/services/trauma-orthopaedics/upper-limb/physio-videos/
References
Edwards, P.K., Ebert, J.R., Littlewood, C., Ackland, T. and Wang, A. (2017). A Systematic Review of Electromyography Studies in Normal Shoulders to Inform Postoperative Rehabilitation Following Rotator Cuff Repair. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy
Pictures supplied by Physiotec. Accessible at: https://physiotec.ca/ca/en/
Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints
Patient Experience Team (PET)
We are continually trying to improve the services we provide. We want to know what we’re doing well or if there’s anything which we can improve, that’s why the Patient Experience Team (PET) is here to help. Our Patient Experience Team is here to try to resolve your concerns as quickly as possible. The office is based on the ground floor at the University Hospital of North Tees if you wish to discuss concerns in person. If you would like to contact or request a copy of our PET leaflet, please contact:
Telephone: 01642 624719
Freephone: 0800 092 0084
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm
Email: [email protected]
Out of hours
Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard who will bleep the appropriate person.
Telephone: 01642 617617
Data protection and use of patient information
The Trust has developed Data Protection policies in accordance with Data Protection Legislation (UK General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. All of our staff respect these policies and confidentiality is adhered to at all times. If you require further information on how we process your information please see our Privacy Notices.
Telephone: 01642 383551
Email: [email protected]
Privacy NoticesLeaflet feedback
This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Clinical Governance team, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of North Tees, TS19 8PE or:
Email: [email protected]
Leaflet Reference: PIL1288
Date for review: 28/11/2025
