In this phase of rehabilitation, you will work to increase the strength of the rotator cuff muscles that move and stabilize the shoulder. These exercise should be done with very little weight at first, and as your strength improves, you can increase the amount of weight in each hand in order to provide more resistance for the muscles. In this first exercise, start with a weight in each hand with your arms at your side. Then pull your arms back as far as you can and hold them in this position for a count of two seconds. Then return to the original starting position.

This next exercise specifically strengthens the muscles of the rotator cuff that provide you with external rotation of the shoulder. Begin by lying on your side on either a bench or on the floor. Start with your arm at 90 degrees and held at your side. Then externally rotate your arm as far as is comfortable and hold it in this position for a count of two seconds. Repeat this exercise ten times.

To strengthen the muscles of internal rotation, begin in the same starting position and then bring your arm down to your stomach. Repeat this exercise ten times as well.

This next exercise strengthens the deltoid muscle. Start with your elbow bent 90 degrees with your arms at your side. With your elbow held in this position raise your arms and hold them there for a count of two seconds. Then return to the starting position.

To increase the strength of the anterior portion of the deltoid muscle, start with your elbow extended and your arm hanging by your side. Without bending your elbow, bring your straight up in a smooth arc so that the weight is held directly out in front of you. Hold the weight in this position for a count of two seconds before returning to the original starting position.