Advanced Shoulder Post-Fracture Rehabilitation

Advanced Shoulder Post-Fracture Rehabilitation: A 20-Week Program

This program is for people who are further along in their recovery after a shoulder fracture and are ready for advanced, supervised rehabilitation. Its goal is to restore full shoulder movement, strength, and control so you can return to everyday and higher-demand activities. Because it is an advanced plan, it assumes your fracture has healed and your clinician has cleared you to progress. Always follow your care team's guidance, since every recovery is different.

Before You Start

Talk with your clinician before beginning, and only start once you are cleared. Do not begin or continue if you have a wound that has opened or is not healing, active inflammation, or limited movement that has not yet been assessed. Stop and call your clinician if pain keeps increasing, if new swelling or redness appears, or if you notice a sudden loss of motion or strength. Never push through sharp pain, and remember these are general guidelines, not medical advice.

How Your Week Is Structured

You will train five days a week for about sixty minutes per session across twenty weeks. The plan moves through four phases: an early protection phase, an early mobility phase, a strengthening phase, and an advanced strengthening phase. Equipment includes a kettlebell, back brace, TRX, and stationary bike, along with bands and light weights. Your clinician decides when you are ready to move from one phase to the next based on how your shoulder responds.

What a Typical Session Looks Like

Each session follows a warm-up, main work, and cool-down pattern. You might warm up on the stationary bike or with gentle arm movements, then do your main work using the TRX, kettlebell, bands, and light weights as prescribed. Your program may also include manual therapy, ultrasound, or aquatic sessions with your clinician. Finish with a cool-down that includes gentle stretching and easy movement. Always cool down after activity, as your plan advises.

Tracking Your Progress

Your clinician uses specific movement, strength, and function checkpoints to decide when you are ready for the next phase. They will also use standard shoulder questionnaires and measurements, such as range-of-motion and strength testing, to track how you are doing over time. These tools help show whether the program is working and guide safe progression. Do not advance phases on your own; let your clinician confirm you have met the criteria.

Recovery and Self-Care

Expect some soreness, but avoid overloading your shoulder and stop if pain increases. Build in rest days and keep up your cool-down routine. Watch for red flags such as worsening pain, new or increasing swelling, redness or warmth, numbness, or a sudden drop in movement or strength, and contact your clinician if these occur. Follow any medication guidance from your own care team, as this program does not include medication advice.