“Rehabilitation program

In the acute phase of a dislocated shoulder, therapy should be limited.

1. The arm should be immobilized in a sling and swathed for 1-3 weeks. While the patient is in the sling, elbow, wrist, and hand range of motion should be encouraged.
2. Working with the parascapular muscles is also important during this acute phase of rehabilitation since this can be initiated while the patient is still in the sling. These exercises should be continued when the patient comes out of the sling.
3.  Active and passive flexion, extension, abduction, and internal/external rotation begin at about the third week, when the patient comes out of the sling. One will find that patients usually progress faster than 10 degrees per week.
4. It is important to educate the patient and inform him or her that getting all of the motion back "right away" can be detrimental to the stability of their shoulder.
5. Rehabilitation should be geared to gently restoring the range of motion over 6-8 weeks.

**A good adage during the first 3 weeks after a shoulder dislocation is to "keep the hand in view." While looking forward, the patient should never let his or her hand be placed in a position outside the line of vision. This instruction assures a midrange position that does not compromise apposition of the torn or stretched anterior capsular structures to the glenoid.”

REFhttp://emedicine.medscape.com/article/93323-treatment, google images