Physical therapy offers modest help for mild shoulder arthritis but little benefit for moderate to severe cases, according to a joint statement from the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and the American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Therapists. Most insurers require six weeks of PT before approving surgery, even when doctors think surgery is needed sooner.
Does physical therapy actually do anything for arthritis? This is a question I get weekly in clinic, and it depends on the severity. Mild arthritis, it probably will help a bit, but moderate or severe arthritis, it, it probably really does not make a large difference. In fact, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and the American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Therapists have a joint statement that say that it doesn't really improve outcomes. That said, most insurances, if somebody is less than 65 and has commercial insurance, will require that somebody go through therapy whether or not you you agree with that for 6 weeks before they consider any type of surgical treatment.
