Rotator Cuff: Exercises

Introduction

Here are some examples of exercises for you to try. The exercises may be suggested for a condition or for rehabilitation. Start each exercise slowly. Ease off the exercises if you start to have pain.

You will be told when to start these exercises and which ones will work best for you.

How to do the exercises

Pendulum swing

Pendulum swing shoulder stretch
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slide 1 of 16, Pendulum swing,

If you have pain in your back, do not do this exercise.

  1. Hold on to a table or the back of a chair with your good arm. Then bend forward a little and let your sore arm hang straight down. This exercise does not use the arm muscles. Rather, use your legs and your hips to create movement that makes your arm swing freely.
  2. Use the movement from your hips and legs to guide the slightly swinging arm back and forth like a pendulum (or elephant trunk). Then guide it in circles that start small (about the size of a dinner plate). Make the circles a bit larger each day, as your pain allows.
  3. Do this exercise for 5 minutes, 5 to 7 times each day.
  4. As you have less pain, try bending over a little farther to do this exercise. This will increase the amount of movement at your shoulder.

Posterior stretching exercise

Posterior stretching exercise
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slide 2 of 16, Posterior stretching exercise,
  1. Hold the elbow of your injured arm with your other hand.
  2. Use your hand to pull your injured arm gently up and across your body. You will feel a gentle stretch across the back of your injured shoulder.
  3. Hold for at least 15 to 30 seconds. Then slowly lower your arm.
  4. Repeat 2 to 4 times.

Up-the-back stretch

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slide 3 of 16, Up-the-back stretch,

Your doctor or physical therapist may want you to wait to do this stretch until you have regained most of your range of motion and strength. You can do this stretch in different ways. Hold any of these stretches for at least 15 to 30 seconds. Repeat them 2 to 4 times.

  1. Light stretch: Put your hand in your back pocket. Let it rest there to stretch your shoulder.
  2. Moderate stretch: With your other hand, hold your injured arm (palm outward) behind your back by the wrist. Pull your arm up gently to stretch your shoulder.
  3. Advanced stretch: Put a towel over your other shoulder. Put the hand of your injured arm behind your back. Now hold the back end of the towel. With the other hand, hold the front end of the towel in front of your body. Pull gently on the front end of the towel. This will bring your hand farther up your back to stretch your shoulder.

Overhead stretch

Overhead stretch
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slide 4 of 16, Overhead stretch,
  1. Standing about an arm's length away, grasp onto a solid surface. You could use a countertop, a doorknob, or the back of a sturdy chair.
  2. With your knees slightly bent, bend forward with your arms straight. Lower your upper body, and let your shoulders stretch.
  3. As your shoulders are able to stretch farther, you may need to take a step or two backward.
  4. Hold for at least 15 to 30 seconds. Then stand up and relax. If you had stepped back during your stretch, step forward so you can keep your hands on the solid surface.
  5. Repeat 2 to 4 times.

Shoulder flexion (lying down)

Shoulder flexion exercise while lying down
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slide 5 of 16, Shoulder flexion (lying down),

To make a wand for this exercise, use a piece of PVC pipe or a broom handle with the broom removed. Make the wand about a foot wider than your shoulders.

  1. Lie on your back, holding a wand with both hands. Your palms should face down as you hold the wand.
  2. Keeping your elbows straight, slowly raise your arms over your head. Raise them until you feel a stretch in your shoulders, upper back, and chest.
  3. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds.
  4. Repeat 2 to 4 times.

Shoulder rotation (lying down)

Shoulder rotation exercise while lying down
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slide 6 of 16, Shoulder rotation (lying down),

To make a wand for this exercise, use a piece of PVC pipe or a broom handle with the broom removed. Make the wand about a foot wider than your shoulders.

  1. Lie on your back. Hold a wand with both hands with your elbows bent and palms up.
  2. Keep your elbows close to your body, and move the wand across your body toward the sore arm.
  3. Hold for 8 to 12 seconds.
  4. Repeat 2 to 4 times.

Wall climbing (to the side)

Wall-climbing stretch (to the side)
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slide 7 of 16, Wall climbing (to the side),

Avoid any movement that is straight to your side, and be careful not to arch your back. Your arm should stay about 30 degrees to the front of your side.

  1. Stand with your side to a wall so that your fingers can just touch it at an angle about 30 degrees toward the front of your body.
  2. Walk the fingers of your injured arm up the wall as high as pain permits. Try not to shrug your shoulder up toward your ear as you move your arm up.
  3. Hold that position for a count of at least 15 to 20.
  4. Walk your fingers back down to the starting position.
  5. Repeat at least 2 to 4 times. Try to reach higher each time.

Wall climbing (to the front)

Wall-climbing stretch (to the front)
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slide 8 of 16, Wall climbing (to the front),

During this stretching exercise, be careful not to arch your back.

  1. Face a wall, and stand so your fingers can just touch it.
  2. Keeping your shoulder down, walk the fingers of your injured arm up the wall as high as pain permits. (Don't shrug your shoulder up toward your ear.)
  3. Hold your arm in that position for at least 15 to 30 seconds.
  4. Slowly walk your fingers back down to where you started.
  5. Repeat at least 2 to 4 times. Try to reach higher each time.

Shoulder blade squeeze

Shoulder blade squeeze exercise
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slide 9 of 16, Shoulder blade squeeze,
  1. Stand with your arms at your sides, and squeeze your shoulder blades together. Do not raise your shoulders up as you squeeze.
  2. Hold 6 seconds.
  3. Repeat 8 to 12 times.

Scapular exercise: Arm reach

Arm-reach scapular exercise
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slide 10 of 16, Scapular exercise: Arm reach,
  1. Lie flat on your back. This exercise is a very slight motion that starts with your arms raised (elbows straight, arms straight).
  2. From this position, reach higher toward the sky or ceiling. Keep your elbows straight. All motion should be from your shoulder blade only.
  3. Relax your arms back to where you started.
  4. Repeat 8 to 12 times.

Arm raise to the side

Arm-raise-to-the-side exercise
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slide 11 of 16, Arm raise to the side,

During this strengthening exercise, your arm should stay about 30 degrees to the front of your side.

  1. Slowly raise your injured arm to the side, with your thumb facing up. Raise your arm 60 degrees at the most (shoulder level is 90 degrees).
  2. Hold the position for 3 to 5 seconds. Then lower your arm back to your side. If you need to, bring your "good" arm across your body and place it under the elbow as you lower your injured arm. Use your good arm to keep your injured arm from dropping down too fast.
  3. Repeat 8 to 12 times.
  4. When you first start out, don't hold any extra weight in your hand. As you get stronger, you may use a 1-pound to 2-pound dumbbell or a small can of food.

Shoulder flexor and extensor exercise

Shoulder flexor and extensor exercise
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slide 12 of 16, Shoulder flexor and extensor exercise,

These are isometric exercises. That means you contract your muscles without actually moving.

  1. Push forward (flex): Stand facing a wall or doorjamb, about 6 inches or less back. Hold your injured arm against your body. Make a closed fist with your thumb on top. Then gently push your hand forward into the wall with about 25% to 50% of your strength. Don't let your body move backward as you push. Hold for about 6 seconds. Relax for a few seconds. Repeat 8 to 12 times.
  2. Push backward (extend): Stand with your back flat against a wall. Your upper arm should be against the wall, with your elbow bent 90 degrees (your hand straight ahead). Push your elbow gently back against the wall with about 25% to 50% of your strength. Don't let your body move forward as you push. Hold for about 6 seconds. Relax for a few seconds. Repeat 8 to 12 times.

Scapular exercise: Wall push-ups

Scapular exercise (wall push-ups)
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slide 13 of 16, Scapular exercise: Wall push-ups,

This exercise is best done with your fingers somewhat turned out, rather than straight up and down.

  1. Stand facing a wall, about 12 inches to 18 inches away.
  2. Place your hands on the wall at shoulder height.
  3. Slowly bend your elbows and bring your face to the wall. Keep your back and hips straight.
  4. Push back to where you started.
  5. Repeat 8 to 12 times.
  6. When you can do this exercise against a wall comfortably, you can try it against a counter. You can then slowly progress to the end of a couch, then to a sturdy chair, and finally to the floor.

Scapular exercise: Retraction

Retraction scapular exercise
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slide 14 of 16, Scapular exercise: Retraction,

For this exercise, you will need elastic exercise material, such as surgical tubing or Thera-Band.

  1. Put the band around a solid object at about waist level. (A bedpost will work well.) Each hand should hold an end of the band.
  2. With your elbows at your sides and bent to 90 degrees, pull the band back. Your shoulder blades should move toward each other. Then move your arms back where you started.
  3. Repeat 8 to 12 times.
  4. If you have good range of motion in your shoulders, try this exercise with your arms lifted out to the sides. Keep your elbows at a 90-degree angle. Raise the elastic band up to about shoulder level. Pull the band back to move your shoulder blades toward each other. Then move your arms back where you started.

Internal rotator strengthening exercise

Internal rotator strengthening exercise
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slide 15 of 16, Internal rotator strengthening exercise,
  1. Start by tying a piece of elastic exercise material to a doorknob. You can use surgical tubing or Thera-Band.
  2. Stand or sit with your shoulder relaxed and your elbow bent 90 degrees. Your upper arm should rest comfortably against your side. Squeeze a rolled towel between your elbow and your body for comfort. This will help keep your arm at your side.
  3. Hold one end of the elastic band in the hand of the painful arm.
  4. Slowly rotate your forearm toward your body until it touches your belly. Slowly move it back to where you started.
  5. Keep your elbow and upper arm firmly tucked against the towel roll or at your side.
  6. Repeat 8 to 12 times.

External rotator strengthening exercise

External rotator strengthening exercise
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slide 16 of 16, External rotator strengthening exercise,
  1. Start by tying a piece of elastic exercise material to a doorknob. You can use surgical tubing or Thera-Band. (You may also hold one end of the band in each hand.)
  2. Stand or sit with your shoulder relaxed and your elbow bent 90 degrees. Your upper arm should rest comfortably against your side. Squeeze a rolled towel between your elbow and your body for comfort. This will help keep your arm at your side.
  3. Hold one end of the elastic band with the hand of the painful arm.
  4. Start with your forearm across your belly. Slowly rotate the forearm out away from your body. Keep your elbow and upper arm tucked against the towel roll or the side of your body until you begin to feel tightness in your shoulder. Slowly move your arm back to where you started.
  5. Repeat 8 to 12 times.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.