Recovery From Surgical Repair Of Rotator Cuff

The rotator cuff is made up of the four muscles surrounding your shoulder joint. These muscles are responsible for lifting the arm overhead and rotating it to the side. The rotator cuff can become injured and tear, pulling the muscles away from the shoulder. Rotator cuffs tear due to injury or overuse. People with this condition often try rest and physical therapy hoping the tear will heal on its own, but often the only option of recovery is surgery.

The Surgery

Rotator cuff surgery can usually be done on an outpatient basis where you will not spend the night in the hospital. If your tear is particularly bad and there are complications, you may need to spend one night. You will be sent home with pain medications and antibiotics to fight off infection. You may be instructed to ice the surgery site for a few days to reduce swelling.

Recovery from rotator cuff surgery can take a long time, sometimes up to a year, and is done in several phases.

First Few Weeks of Recovery

The first phase of recovery is immobilization. Yyou will not be able to move your arm or shoulder for three to four weeks, except with the help of a physical therapist. Your arm will be in a sling and strapped to your body. During this phase you may be going to a physical therapist who will exercise your shoulder for you.

Recovery at Home

During recovery you may not be able to drive for up to three months. You will need assistance with many daily living activities, especially heavy lifting or reaching. You may need to take a leave of absence from work for up to three months depending on the extent of your surgery.

Physical Therapy

After about a month you will start the next phase of recovery and will be able to move your arm and start mild strengthening and stretching exercises. You will most likely still be in your physical therapy sessions, where the physical therapist will teach you exercises to do on your own to strengthen the shoulder and improve range of motion.

Going Back To Work

At three months you are in the third phase and can go back to work. You will be able to continue your strength and flexibility training. You should feel yourself getting stronger every day.

Resuming Your Daily Activities

At six months you can expect to have 80 percent of your strength regained and be able to resume sports and your daily activities.

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