A fractured shoulder is a common and often painful injury. It can significantly disrupt your daily life, making simple tasks challenging. When facing this diagnosis, one of the most pressing questions patients ask is: What is the recovery time for fractured shoulder? In this post, we’ll explore the factors influencing recovery, the typical timelines for both non-surgical and surgical treatments, and the steps you can take to support your healing.

• Most shoulder fractures begin to stabilize within 6 weeks, which is when pain and swelling typically improve.
• Regaining strength, motion, and normal function is a longer process and may take anywhere from 6 months to a year or longer, depending on the injury and treatment.
• Your personal recovery timeline may be shaped by factors such as fracture severity, whether surgery is required, your age and overall health, and how consistently you follow your rehabilitation plan.

The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint, offering the greatest range of motion in the body. A shoulder fracture most commonly occurs in the proximal humerus, which is the upper part of the arm bone closest to the shoulder joint. This area involves the articular surface, the rotator cuff attachments, and the main blood supply to the humeral head.

Fractures are frequently classified based on the number of bone fragments and their displacement. One of the most commonly used systems is the Neer classification, which divides the proximal humerus into four parts: the articular surface (humeral head), greater tuberosity, lesser tuberosity, and humeral shaft. The number of displaced parts helps your surgeon determine how complex the injury is and which treatments are most appropriate.

A more complex fracture may demand a more intricate healing process. It can require more time for the bone to knit together and for the surrounding muscles and tendons to recover from the initial trauma and any necessary surgical repair.

For many patients, particularly those with minimally displaced fractures, a non-surgical approach is highly effective. Conservative treatment typically relies on immobilization and controlled, gradual rehabilitation. While specific timelines may vary, in the following subsections, we’ll explore the general phases of recovery.

The first few weeks are dedicated to protecting the fracture site and allowing the initial healing to begin. This period is key for pain control and preventing further injury.

• Sling Use and Protection: You should wear a sling throughout the day during the first six weeks to protect the fracture, gradually coming out of the sling more as your surgeon allows. The exact timing depends on your fracture pattern and your surgeon’s protocol.
• Pain and Swelling Management: Managing pain and swelling is a primary focus. Your doctor may recommend or prescribe appropriate medication. Applying ice packs for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day can help reduce swelling and discomfort.
• Early Motion for Adjacent Joints: While the fracture is protected, your doctor will likely encourage gentle, passive range-of-motion exercises for the elbow, wrist, and hand, assisted by a physical therapist or your other arm. This prevents stiffness in the joints not directly affected by the fracture.

Once your surgeon confirms initial stability, usually around the four-to-six-week mark, you may begin very gentle shoulder movement. X-rays are typically taken to confirm that the bone fragments are beginning to fuse.

• Pendulum Exercises: These simple, gravity-assisted movements are the first step in shoulder rehabilitation. You lean forward, allowing the injured arm to hang freely, and gently swing it in small circles.
• Passive Range of Motion (PROM): A physical therapist will move your arm for you, carefully increasing the range of motion without using your own muscle power. This is often done using a pulley system or with the therapist’s hands.
• Gradual Sling Weaning: You may gradually reduce the time spent in the sling, using it primarily for comfort and protection in crowded environments or when sleeping.

This phase marks the transition from healing to true recovery of function. The focus shifts from protecting the bone to rebuilding the surrounding musculature.

• Active Range of Motion (AROM): You may begin to move your arm using your own muscles. Exercises will generally focus on regaining full elevation, external rotation, and internal rotation. The goal is to achieve functional range of motion, allowing you to reach overhead and behind your back.
• Light Strengthening: Your physical therapy program will introduce light resistance exercises, focusing on the rotator cuff and surrounding shoulder muscles, including the deltoid and scapular stabilizers. Resistance bands and very light weights are typically used.
• Return to Light Activities: Most patients can return to light, non-strenuous daily activities, such as driving (if cleared by your physician) and simple household tasks. However, lifting anything heavier than a cup of coffee is usually restricted.

The overall recovery time for fractured shoulder treated non-surgically often sees patients achieving good functional use of the arm within three to six months. However, it is important to note that full strength and endurance may continue to improve for up to a year.

Surgical intervention may be necessary for significantly displaced, unstable, or complex fractures, such as two, three, or four-part injuries. The goal of surgery is to restore the bone’s normal anatomy. The type of surgery performed will influence the post-operative protocol.

The initial post-operative period is focused on protecting the surgical repair and allowing the soft tissues to heal.

• Strict Immobilization: A sling or specialized brace is worn typically for around four to six weeks. This protects the hardware (plates, screws, or wires) or the new joint components and allows the bone fragments to begin fusing in their new, corrected position.
• Wound Care and Swelling Control: Your focus will be on managing the surgical incision, controlling swelling, and adhering strictly to all post-operative instructions.
• Delayed Motion: Unlike non-surgical cases, shoulder motion is often delayed to ensure the bone and any repaired soft tissues, such as the rotator cuff, have time to heal securely. Only gentle hand, wrist, and elbow exercises are permitted, under the instruction of your surgeon or physical therapist.

This phase begins after the surgeon confirms sufficient bone healing and stability.

• Initiating Passive Motion: Physical therapy frequently starts with passive range-of-motion exercises, similar to the non-surgical approach, but often with more caution. The therapist is careful not to put stress on the surgical repair. The goal is to gently restore the joint’s mobility without activating the muscles that attach near the fracture site.
• Transition to Active-Assisted Range of Motion (AAROM): You may gradually begin to use your own muscles, assisted by the therapist or a device, to move the arm. This is a key step in regaining muscle control.
• Scapular Stabilization: Exercises to strengthen the muscles that control the shoulder blade are introduced. A stable scapula provides a solid base for the arm to move.

This is the longest phase, where the focus shifts entirely to rebuilding strength, endurance, and full functional capacity.

• Intensive Strengthening: Resistance training may become more rigorous, targeting all the muscles that stabilize and move the shoulder. This often includes exercises for the rotator cuff, deltoid, and periscapular muscles. The intensity and load are gradually increased over many months.
• Functional and Sport-Specific Training: Exercises may mimic the movements required for your daily life, work, and sports. For example, a golfer will begin practicing their swing, and a manual laborer will practice lifting and carrying objects. This phase ensures the shoulder is ready for real-world demands.
• Return to Activity: Return to heavy lifting, contact sports, or overhead work is typically delayed until four months or more post-surgery, and only after achieving specific strength and range-of-motion goals. Your surgeon will likely require a final functional assessment before clearing you for full activity.

The total recovery time for fractured shoulder after surgery is generally a full year or longer, with significant functional gains often seen between six and nine months.

While the fracture type and treatment plan offer a general outline, your personal recovery can vary widely depending on several individual and biological factors. Understanding these helps you take an active role in healing.

Age and bone quality play a role in how quickly a shoulder fracture heals. Younger patients with stronger bone density may recover faster because their bone-repair cells are more active. In contrast, older adults, especially those with osteoporosis, may heal more slowly.

Overall health also can matter. Certain medical conditions may interfere with bone and soft-tissue healing, particularly if they are not well controlled. Smoking may also slow recovery because nicotine can reduce blood flow and oxygen delivery to the fracture site.

The injury itself also influences recovery. Certain fractures can disrupt blood flow to the humeral head, increasing the risk of avascular necrosis, a condition where bone tissue dies and healing becomes much more complicated. Injuries involving the rotator cuff, ligaments, or nerves often require additional treatment and extend the rehabilitation process. Fractures that are highly displaced or broken into several pieces tend to be more unstable and take longer to heal.

Your dedication to the rehabilitation process is one of the most important factors you can control. Consistently attending physical therapy and completing your home exercise program every day helps prevent stiffness and restores function more quickly. It’s also important to pace yourself, as working too aggressively can reinjure healing tissues, while being overly cautious can lead to long-term stiffness. Staying in close communication with your surgeon and therapist ensures your recovery plan is adjusted appropriately and safely based on how you’re feeling.

Whether your treatment involves a simple sling or a reverse shoulder replacement, the way to support your recovery remains the same: commit to controlled rehabilitation, and partner with an experienced shoulder specialist. By understanding the factors that influence your timeline and actively participating in your care, you can support your chances of achieving a full and functional return to the activities you enjoy.

The duration of formal, supervised physical therapy varies widely based on the severity of your injury and your progress. Your therapist may also provide you with a comprehensive home exercise program that you will need to continue independently for many months after formal physical therapy to achieve maximum recovery.

Returning to high-impact sports, overhead activities, or heavy manual labor is a gradual process that must be carefully managed. Your surgeon and physical therapist will perform specific strength and functional tests to ensure your shoulder is robust enough to handle the stress without risking re-injury. Premature return to activity is a common cause of setbacks.

Focus on optimizing your overall health. Maintain a positive attitude and commit fully to your physical therapy program. Adequate sleep and effective pain management also play roles in allowing your body to dedicate its resources to healing. A proactive approach to your general wellness may support your orthopedic recovery.