Assisted Shoulder External Rotation

Assisted Shoulder External Rotation

Purpose: Restore external rotation (turning the forearm outward) often needed for grooming, dressing, and reaching.

Equipment: Wand/dowel or a towel.

How to do it (wand version):
1) Keep your elbow tucked to your side at 90 degrees (place a small towel roll between elbow and ribs).
2) Hold the wand with both hands. Use the non-surgical arm to gently push the surgical forearm outward.
3) Stop at a comfortable stretch, pause 1–2 seconds, then return slowly.

Tips:
- Keep the elbow against your side throughout.
- Avoid arching the back or shrugging.

Dosage: 3 sets of 10 reps (or seconds/holds if that is how your therapist prescribed it). Rest 30–60 seconds between sets.

Progression:
- Increase range gradually before adding any resistance.
- Transition to light band external rotation when approved.

Comfort and safety:
Move slowly and stay in a comfortable range. A mild stretch or light muscle fatigue is okay; sharp pain is not.
Stop and contact your care team if you notice increasing swelling, redness, warmth, drainage, fever, or new/worsening numbness/tingling.
Follow any post-op precautions, lifting limits, and motion restrictions given by your surgeon or therapist.