Original Article

The essential role of rehabilitation in operative and non-operative shoulder management: A 40-year experience (1985–2025)

¹ Genolier Clinic - Route du Muids 3, 1272 Genolier, Switzerland and General Hospital of Lozère, 48000 Mende, France
² Clinique Chirurgicale St Michel, Groupe ELSAN, Av Orient, 83100 Toulon, France

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Received: 21 March 2026
Accepted: 29 March 2026

Abstract

Introduction: As early as 1985, Charles S. Neer II and Peter Welsh emphasized that successful shoulder treatment – whether surgical or non-surgical – relies on structured rehabilitation based on simple exercises performed independently by the patient several times daily. The Sarah Jackins auto-rehabilitation program, developed with Frederick A. Matsen and Douglas T. Harryman in Seattle, further reinforced this concept and was widely implemented in clinical practice and training. Methods: This paper describes the application of four key rehabilitation principles in more than 24,000 patients treated for shoulder conditions, including over 8,000 surgical cases. Results and Discussion: The protocol is based on (1) simple self-administered exercises performed three to five times daily, (2) supervision by a trained physiotherapist. The paper is well illustrated with examples of all the exercises performed. Type of paper: Descriptive, Level V of evidence, Expert Opinion.