Physical Therapy After Shoulder Impingement Surgery: What to Expect

Recovering from shoulder impingement surgerydoesn’t end in the operating room. In fact, one of the most critical components of a successful outcome is physical therapy. At Plano Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center, we guide patients through each phase of recovery with personalized rehab programs that restore strength, mobility, and function to the shoulder.

If you’re preparing for surgery—or recently had one—you may be wondering what physical therapy after shoulder impingement surgery involves. Here’s what you need to know.

Why Physical Therapy Is Essential

Shoulder impingement surgery relieves pain by removing bone spurs, inflamed tissue, or other structures compressing the rotator cuff. But once that pressure is relieved, the muscles and tendons still need time and targeted movement to regain proper function.

Physical therapy helps by:

• Reducing post-operative stiffness and pain

• Improving shoulder mobility and flexibility

• Rebuilding strength in the rotator cuff and surrounding muscles

• Restoring normal movement patterns for daily activities and sports

Without physical therapy, scar tissue can form, mobility may remain limited, and your risk of re-injury increases.

Phases of Post-Surgical Physical Therapy

Each patient’s recovery is unique, but here’s a general timeline of what physical therapy after shoulder impingement surgery looks like at POSMC:

1. Initial Recovery (Weeks 1–2)

• Focus: Pain management and gentle mobility

• Ice therapy, light range-of-motion exercises, and passive stretching begin under the guidance of your physical therapist.

2. Intermediate Phase (Weeks 3–6)

• Focus: Regaining range of motion and beginning light strengthening

• Exercises progress to include more active movement and resistance training with bands or weights.

3. Advanced Strengthening (Weeks 7–12)

• Focus: Rebuilding full strength and shoulder stability

• Your therapist will tailor exercises to your goals, whether that’s returning to work, lifting overhead, or resuming sports.

4. Return to Full Function (Months 3–6)

• Focus: Full return to daily life and athletic activities

• Functional training is introduced to mimic real-life movements and prevent future injury.

Our Approach at Plano Orthopedic

At Plano Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center, your physical therapy program is built around your specific condition, goals, and recovery timeline. We collaborate closely with our board-certified surgeons and in-house physical therapists to monitor your progress and adjust as needed.

Our team uses the latest rehab protocols and equipment to help you recover safely and confidently—so you can get back to the activities you love.

Start Strong. Recover Stronger.

If you’ve undergone—or are considering— shoulder impingement surgery, trust the experts at Plano Orthopedic to guide you through every stage of healing. From skilled surgical care to world-class physical therapy, we’re with you every step of the way.

Schedule an appointment todayand learn more about our personalized rehab plans for shoulder recovery.