Arm & shoulder exercises after surgery - Cancer Council Western

Arm & shoulder
exercises
after surgeryArm & shoulder exercises
after breast cancer surgery
This poster describes how to perform arm and shoulder
exercises after surgery for breast cancer. The exercises aim
to gradually improve the movement of your arm and shoulder
and help get you back to your usual activities.

Shoulder rolls
Elbow stretch
Wrist exercise
Hand squeeze
Getting started
Talk to your doctor, breast care
nurse, nurse, physiotherapist
or exercise physiologist before
starting the exercises illustrated
in this poster.
The timelines suggested are
a guide only and the time that
is right for you will vary - your
health care team will let you
know which exercises to do
and when to do them.
Level one exercises can be
started the day after surgery.
You can usually use your affected
arm normally, up to shoulder
height, for light activities from
the day after your surgery.

Level two exercises can be
started after the drains have
been removed or when your
health care professionals say
you can move your shoulder.
These exercises should not
cause pain. Let your doctor
or breast care nurse know
if you experience any pain
or discomfort.