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Shoulder Stabilisation Surgery Physiotherapy in Singapore

Shoulder stabilisation surgery repairs or reinforces the tissue that keeps the ball in the socket. Rehabilitation protects the repair from the positions that dislocate the shoulder, keeps the rest of the arm moving, and builds strength in stages before sport, with tests rather than the calendar deciding when you return. Benchmark Physio guides every stage, from the sling to contact and overhead sport, at our Bukit Timah clinic and at home across Singapore.

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One-to-one sessions
Clinic in Bukit Timah, home visits across Singapore
Direct billing with selected insurers

Reviewed by Ng Hong Kai, Chief Physiotherapist. Last reviewed October 2026.

Shoulder stabilisation rehabilitation at a glance

Sling: About 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the protocol.
Protected position: Arm out to the side and turned back, the position that dislocates the shoulder: avoided for up to 12 weeks in one NHS guideline.
Strength work: From about 6 to 12 weeks in most protocols, and at 3 to 4 months in Tan Tock Seng Hospital's guide.
Return to sport: About 6 months at the earliest, once strength, movement and confidence tests are passed.
Recurrence: 14.8% after Bankart repair and 3.5% after Latarjet, in a meta-analysis of 874 athletes.
Clinic: Benchmark Physio, 557 Bukit Timah Road, #02-03, Crown Centre, Singapore 269694
Fees: A clinic session costs $210 for 45 minutes and a home visit $320. The fees page lists other services.
Booking: Book online or WhatsApp +65 8836 8526.

What makes shoulder stabilisation rehabilitation different?

Shoulder stabilisation surgery reattaches or reinforces the tissue that holds the ball of the shoulder in its socket, and the repair is weakest to the very movement that dislocated the shoulder. Rehabilitation therefore protects it from the apprehension position, where the arm is out to the side and turned back, keeps the rest of the arm and the shoulder blade moving, and builds strength in stages before sport.

Stiffness is the other risk, but the first phase is not about range or strength. The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt NHS guideline says the early weeks are about keeping the repair intact and stabilising the shoulder blade.

For general recovery after surgery and the warning signs, see our post-surgery physiotherapy page. Here we deal with the unstable shoulder.

Bankart repair, Latarjet, remplissage: what changes in rehabilitation?

The operation decides which positions are protected and how soon strength work starts. A Bankart repair reattaches the torn labrum and tightens the capsule. A Latarjet moves a piece of bone to the front of the socket and is used where bone is missing or the risk of recurrence is high. Remplissage adds a tendon to fill a dent in the ball, usually alongside a Bankart repair.

What each stabilisation operation means for rehabilitation
Operation	What it does	What changes in rehabilitation
Arthroscopic Bankart repair	Reattaches the torn labrum and tightens the capsule, using soft tissue.	Outward rotation is limited early, because the repair is stressed by it. The sling lasts about 3 to 6 weeks and strengthening starts from about 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the protocol.
Latarjet procedure	Moves a piece of bone from the coracoid to the front of the socket, to stop the ball sliding out.	Used for bone loss or a high risk of recurrence. In one open Latarjet protocol, outward rotation was limited to 30 degrees at the side for six weeks, and a criteria-based test came at 5 to 6 months.
Remplissage	Fills a dent in the back of the ball, a Hill-Sachs lesion, with the infraspinatus tendon. It is usually added to a Bankart repair.	It is posterior-based, so protocols protect internal rotation early and progress outward-rotation strengthening more slowly.
Posterior repair or capsular shift	Repairs the back of the labrum, or tightens a loose capsule.	Protocols protect internal rotation instead of outward rotation, and the sling is usually worn for about 4 weeks.

The rehabilitation notes draw on the Arthroscopy review of rehabilitation, a Latarjet testing study, a posterior repair protocol and the indications for Latarjet in athletes. Ask your surgeon which operation you had, and whether a remplissage was added.

Which shoulder positions are protected, and for how long?

The position that dislocates most shoulders is the arm out to the side and turned back, as in a throw, a tackle or a smash, and it is the last to return. One NHS guideline allows no combined outward rotation and sideways lift for 12 weeks, while protocols differ on the smaller steps, so follow your surgeon's rules.

Protected shoulder positions after stabilisation surgery
Position	Why it is protected	When it usually returns
Turning the arm outwards by your side	Outward rotation stresses the repaired capsule.	Limited to about 20 degrees for the first 3 to 4 weeks, about 30 degrees by weeks 3 to 6 and 45 degrees or more by weeks 6 to 8.
Arm out to the side and turned back	It is the position in which the shoulder dislocates, and the repair has the least protection there.	Not before 12 weeks in the NHS guideline. Some protocols start gentle rotation at 90 degrees of lift from week 5.
Reaching behind the back	It stretches the front of the shoulder, where an anterior repair sits.	Avoided for about 4 weeks.
Pushing and overhead loading	Press-ups, bench press and overhead lifting load the repair before the muscles can control it.	Avoided in weeks 7 to 12 in one review, and lifting is limited to about 5 lb for 6 to 8 weeks in another protocol.
Tackles, falls and contact	A fall or tackle can load the repair beyond what it can take.	Waits for the return-to-sport tests, from about 6 months.

The timings come from the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt guideline, Minnesota, Vanderbilt, Sanford and the Arthroscopy review. Protocols vary, and a posterior repair protects different positions.

Shoulder stabilisation recovery: what to expect by week

A common pattern is a sling for about three to six weeks, then passive and active-assisted movement within limits, strengthening from about six to twelve weeks, and sport-specific work from about three months. Tan Tock Seng Hospital's guide describes strengthening at three to four months and a return to activities after six months.

Typical timeline after shoulder stabilisation surgery
Time since surgery	Sling and movement	Strength and exercise	Everyday life
0 to 3 weeks	Sling most of the time, and for sleep in some protocols. Outward rotation to neutral, or about 20 degrees at most.	Neck, elbow, wrist and hand movement. Shoulder blade control, walking and a stationary bike with the sling on.	No lifting. Sleep supported.
3 to 6 weeks	The sling comes off between about 3 and 6 weeks. Passive, then active-assisted, movement within limits, with outward rotation to about 30 degrees.	Shoulder blade stabilisation and gentle rotator cuff activation.	Light use of the hand at waist level.
6 to 12 weeks	Full staged movement returns, with outward rotation at 45 degrees of lift from about 7 to 12 weeks.	Rotator cuff and shoulder blade strengthening, and balance and control work. No press-ups, bench press or overhead loading yet.	Lifting limits ease in some protocols after 6 to 8 weeks.
3 to 6 months	Combined rotation and sideways lift returns from about 12 weeks, with sport-specific exercise.	Progressive strength, sport drills and the first return-to-sport tests.	Return to manual work after about 12 weeks.
After 6 months	Full movement.	Return-to-sport tests, then graded contact and overhead sport.	Back to sport once you pass the tests.

These ranges combine NHS, Singapore and US protocols, which differ, and they assume an anterior repair. Your surgeon's rules come first.

Can the shoulder dislocate again after surgery?

Yes, and the risk depends on the operation. In a meta-analysis of 874 athletes, recurrent instability occurred in 14.8% after Bankart repair and 3.5% after Latarjet, and 53.5% of the Bankart recurrences needed revision surgery (meta-analysis). Return-to-sport rates were high and similar for both: 7.4% of the Bankart athletes and 6.3% of the Latarjet athletes did not return.

The gap shows in particular groups. In competitive rugby players with limited bone loss, recurrence was 20% after Bankart repair and 4% after Latarjet, and reoperation 16% and 4%. A systematic review of recurrent traumatic anterior instability found 21.1% recurrence after Bankart repair against 11.6% after Latarjet, with less outward rotation lost after Latarjet. In adolescents, arthroscopic Bankart repair also had a significantly higher recurrence rate than arthroscopic Latarjet.

Those figures describe the operation, not the rehabilitation. They explain why surgeons choose different operations for contact athletes, and why a return to contact sport is worth testing for.

When can you return to sport, and what tests do you need?

About six months at the earliest, and only once tests show the shoulder is ready. Most return-to-play protocols after stabilisation rely on time alone, and reviews call for criteria like those used after ACL surgery: strength, movement, stability, sport skills and psychological readiness.

Return-to-sport checks after shoulder stabilisation
Check	What it shows	What we look for
Rotator cuff strength	Outward and inward rotation strength at 0 and 90 degrees of lift, measured with a hand-held dynamometer.	Compared with the other arm. Many clinics aim for at least 90%.
Closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability test	Stability and endurance through the weight-bearing arm, which matters for contact and collision sport.	A score that meets the reference for your sport.
Upper quarter Y-balance test	Control and reach on the weight-bearing arm.	Symmetry between the arms.
Single-arm hop or seated shot-put test	Power and control through the arm.	Symmetry with the other arm.
Apprehension and pain	Whether the movement that dislocated the shoulder still feels unsafe.	None.
SIRSI questionnaire	Psychological readiness: confidence and fear of reinjury.	A score discussed with you, rather than a fixed pass mark.
Time since surgery	Repair healing.	About 6 months at the earliest.

Sources for the checks include the NHS guideline, the Arthroscopy review and a Sports Health protocol that combined functional and psychological testing. The target figures vary between clinics.

Testing finds what time hides. In a small study of 10 competitive athletes after open Latarjet, 60% failed the first criteria-based test at 5 to 6 months, and only half reached their outward-rotation strength goal. Athletes who failed one section were cleared 4 to 6 weeks later, after rehabilitation aimed at the gap.

Confidence matters as much. Fear of reinjury, lack of motivation and changes in priorities are key barriers to returning, according to a review of the SIRSI scale. In competitive martial arts athletes, both return to sport and recurrence favoured Latarjet over Bankart repair without remplissage in one cohort, so ask your surgeon how your operation suits your sport.

Everyday life in the sling

The sling weeks are about protecting the repair, sleeping well and keeping the neck, elbow and hand moving. Protocols have you wear the sling for three to six weeks, and several ask you to sleep in it for the first weeks (Lahey, Sanford).

Keep your elbow, wrist, hand and neck moving as you were shown (TTSH).
Do not reach behind your back, or out to the side with the arm turned back.
Lift no more than about 5 lb, or 2 kg, with the operated arm for the first 6 to 8 weeks if your protocol says so (Vanderbilt).
Walk and use a stationary bike with the sling on to keep your fitness up (RJAH).
On the MRT and buses, use your free hand for the pole and keep the operated arm tucked in, so that a jolt cannot pull it into a risky position.

How we run shoulder stabilisation rehabilitation at Benchmark Physio

We start from your operation note, protect the repair from the unsafe positions, and test before we release them and before sport.

We start from your operation note

Your note tells us which operation you had, whether a remplissage was added, and your surgeon's rules on the sling and rotation. We agree which steps come when.

We protect first and keep the chain moving

We keep the neck, elbow, hand and shoulder blade working, and show you how to dress, sleep and travel without putting the arm in the unsafe position.

We test before we release

Before the unsafe positions return, and before contact or overhead sport, we check strength, control and confidence against the other arm, and we repeat the checks where a result falls short.

Home visits suit the sling weeks

A home visit ($320 for 45 minutes) spares you the commute while the arm is in the sling. Clinic sessions ($210) take over once you can travel, and online check-ins ($100 for 30 minutes) cover the gaps in between. The fees and insurance section of the post-surgery page names our direct billing partners.

Our lead physiotherapist holds APA Titled status and trained as an Exercise Scientist, so building the strength, control and conditioning that sport demands is routine for us.

Frequently asked questions about shoulder stabilisation rehabilitation

How long does it take to recover from shoulder stabilisation surgery?

Most people wear a sling for three to six weeks, start strengthening between about six and twelve weeks, and return to sport from about six months once they pass strength, movement and confidence tests. Tan Tock Seng Hospital's guide describes strengthening at three to four months and a return to activities after six months. You will find recovery after other operations on our post-surgery physiotherapy page.

How long do I wear the sling after a Bankart repair?

Protocols range from three weeks to six. An NHS guideline uses three weeks, several hospital protocols use four, one uses four to six and another keeps the sling until six weeks. Some also ask you to sleep in the sling for the first weeks. Follow your surgeon's instructions, and keep your neck, elbow, wrist and hand moving while it is on.

When can I raise my arm out to the side and turn it outwards after stabilisation surgery?

Outward rotation with the arm by your side is usually limited to about 20 degrees for the first three to four weeks, about 30 degrees by weeks three to six and 45 degrees or more by weeks six to eight. The combined position of the arm out to the side and turned back is the last to return: one NHS guideline allows no combined outward rotation and sideways lift for 12 weeks. Your surgeon sets the exact limits.

Can my shoulder dislocate again after surgery?

Yes, and the risk depends on the operation. In a meta-analysis of 874 athletes, recurrent instability occurred in 14.8% after Bankart repair and 3.5% after Latarjet. In competitive rugby players with limited bone loss, recurrence was 20% after Bankart repair and 4% after Latarjet. Surgeons choose the operation by bone loss, age, sport and previous dislocations, so ask yours why you had the one you had.

What is the difference between a Bankart repair and a Latarjet for rehabilitation?

A Bankart repair reattaches the torn labrum with soft tissue, so rehabilitation protects the capsule from outward rotation early on. A Latarjet moves a piece of bone to the front of the socket and is used for bone loss or a high risk of recurrence. In one open Latarjet protocol, outward rotation was limited to 30 degrees at the side for six weeks, with a return-to-sport test at five to six months.

When can I return to rugby, judo or other contact sport after shoulder stabilisation?

From about six months at the earliest, and only after you pass tests of strength, movement, stability and confidence. In a small study of 10 competitive athletes after open Latarjet, 60% failed the first criteria-based test at five to six months, and those who failed one section were cleared four to six weeks later after targeted rehabilitation. Reviews note that many protocols still use time alone, so ask for testing.

When can I lift, drive and go back to work after stabilisation surgery?

Lifting is often limited to about 5 lb, or 2 kg, for the first six to eight weeks. An NHS guideline allows a return to manual work after about 12 weeks. Driving is your surgeon's decision, and it usually waits until you are out of the sling and can control the car safely. Overhead and contact work take longer.

Do I need physiotherapy after shoulder stabilisation surgery?

Usually, yes. The first phase protects the repair and trains the shoulder blade, and formal physiotherapy often starts around four weeks, as in a Minnesota protocol with two sessions a week for four weeks. The harder part comes later, when movement is staged around the unsafe positions and sport needs testing. You can usually book with Benchmark Physio without a referral.

Book your shoulder stabilisation rehabilitation assessment

Tell us your surgery date, which operation you had and the sling and rotation rules you were given. We will tell you where you are in the recovery and what comes next.

Book an appointment WhatsApp us

Benchmark Physio, 557 Bukit Timah Road, #02-03, Crown Centre, Singapore 269694

Call or WhatsApp +65 8836 8526. Email info@benchmarkphysio.com. Get directions.

Tuesday and Thursday 11am to 8pm. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 9am to 6pm. Closed on Monday and Sunday.

Sources

The ranges and figures on this page come from the studies, hospital guidance and protocols below. Protocols differ between surgeons and hospitals, so your own instructions take priority. Last reviewed October 2026.

Meet Our Physiotherapist

Ng Hong Kai also provides dedicated post-surgery rehab programs. With his in-depth understanding of anatomy and surgical procedures, he helps clients recover safely and effectively after operations like joint replacements, ACL reconstruction, and rotator cuff repair. His hands-on physiotherapy approach addresses range of motion, strength, and function to facilitate healing and achieve optimal outcomes.

Ready to embark on a journey towards better musculoskeletal health free from pain? Schedule your consultation with us today.