@musicfox At this point, I think your best bet would be to get into a good physical therapy program with a therapist you can trust. You should be able to get a referral from your doctor if you complain about your pain and lack of proper movement.

When I started my first rehab, I thought Physical Therapists were the same as the personal trainers you have in gyms and was skeptical of their help. But the certified PT's have taken advanced medical courses and interned at clinics and hospitals, and are very knowledgeable about how your bones and muscles need to fit and work together. If something is hurting you, they can help you figure it out, and even aid you in formulating the questions you need to ask your doctor if you don't heal properly.

It really makes me sad and angry when I hear that a surgeon or ortho clinic does not have a well designed mandatory PT plan in place immediately after the surgery through the next 8 weeks at least. This is the time it is easiest to get your muscles to stretch back into their correct positions, but it has to go at the right pace, not too easy and correct form is important, without damaging the still healing muscles.

For TSR's the first few weeks are just pendulum exercises at home, I started official PT after two weeks post surgery, but it was mostly gentle manipulation and stretching, arm supported by the PT. I started with light weights at about week 4. I abandoned my immobilizer/sling about that time, except for special outing safety where someone might bump it.

I am now a little less than 3 months out from surgery, am not aware of the implant, and have no pain. I have no trouble with daily life, driving etc. Still have to move my right hand slowly when soaping up in the shower as certain directions are harder, but washing hair is a breeze. I am still working on strengthening and stretching the muscles using band exercises. I am done with physical therapy, but was given sets of exercises that he recommend I do a few times a week to avoid losing range of motion. In daily life, there might not be that many times you really need to stretch to get that dish on the very top shelf, so you need to keep working at it through regular special exercises.

Best case scenario - the ortho surgeon does his surgery well, and then he is done with you. Then it's the job of the physical therapy person to get you back to a functioning new normal.

It's upsetting when your surgery does not give you the results you were hoping. Keep advocating for yourself until you find a medical team that will listen.