How Long Is Recovery From Microscopic Rotator Cuff Repair?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Recovery can take

1 to 6 months

. You will probably have to wear a sling for the first week. If you had a lot of repair done, you may have to wear the sling longer. You may take medicine to control your pain.

How long is recovery from arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery?

During your recovery period, you will work with your physical therapist to regain motion and strengthen the area. The rotator cuff surgery recovery timeline can vary case by case, but a full recovery typically takes

four to six months

. It may take longer than that to return to heavy lifting.

How long does it take to get full range of motion after shoulder surgery?

To acquire sufficient ROM in 2 years, T-ROMs (120° for FF and 20° for ER) should be reached

3 months

after surgery.

How long is recovery from shoulder debridement?

Debridement or decompression (i.e. cleanup or “rotor-rooter’) type surgeries of the shoulder can take roughly 8-12 weeks to return to full age appropriate activities. It can be

16-36 weeks

for a full recovery from a decompression surgery.

Will my shoulder ever be the same after rotator cuff surgery?

Most patients who have had rotator cuff surgery will tell you that

it takes about nine months before the shoulder feels completely normal

.

How long after rotator cuff surgery can you sleep in a bed?

This is really going to depend on your exact surgery and how quickly you recover in general. However, a good rule of thumb is

4-6 months

before you can go back to sleeping however you want.

Is rotator cuff surgery worth having?

Many tears occur in people who don’t feel the painful symptoms usually associated with a tear. In such cases, is rotator cuff surgery worth it? Well,

the answer is “no.”

There’s no need to do surgery to repair the torn rotator cuff.

Is rotator cuff surgery the most painful?


Rotator cuff repair is the most painful surgery in the first postoperative days

. The main risk factor for pain is a work related accident or occupational disease, associated with higher VAS values from D1 to 1 year and greater morphine intake.

Why is rotator cuff surgery so painful?

A rotator cuff surgery is a major surgical intervention in the shoulder, and the reason that there is pain after surgery is

the amount of normal surgical trauma

. Cutting, drilling, cauterizing, and suturing tissues create pain and inflammation.

How long does it take to raise your arm after rotator cuff surgery?

The sling is typically used for

4 to 6 weeks

after surgery. You should not do any reaching, lifting, pushing, or pulling with your shoulder during the first six weeks after surgery.

How long does it take to regain mobility after shoulder surgery?

Many patients return to full strength and have complete range of motion

four to six months

after surgery. 1 Recovery can be a slow process, so following a physician’s care routine is crucial. How long does rotator cuff surgery take? Rotator cuff surgery usually takes a few hours.

When should I start PT after rotator cuff surgery?

Physical therapy: Formal PT will begin

any time from the day after your surgery to six weeks after surgery depending on your surgeon’s preference

. Frequent PT visits (three times per week) often are recommended to limit shoulder stiffness.

How do you go to the bathroom after shoulder surgery?

A detachable showerhead helps keep water away from your shoulder, and pump soap makes bathing easier when you can use only one arm.

Place non-slip bath mats in the shower and on the floor outside your bathtub or shower

. A shower chair is also great for safety because you may tire easily during your recovery.

How do you dress yourself after shoulder surgery?

Prepare for Dressing


Loose-fitting shirts that are easy to put on, like button-down shirts and oversized t-shirts

, are best for post-surgery. You can also find post-surgical shirts made specifically for shoulder surgery patients at online retailers. When getting dressed, focus on putting the surgical arm in first.

What is the most painful shoulder surgery?


Rotator cuff repair

is the most painful surgery in the first postoperative days. The main risk factor for pain is a work related accident or occupational disease, associated with higher VAS values from D1 to 1 year and greater morphine intake.

When is pain the worst after rotator cuff surgery?

Recent scientific studies (Spring 2013) shows that

nearly 3-5 months

after rotator cuff surgery is when you are at greatest risk of re-injury or re-tearing your rotator cuff. This is probably the most critical period in the recovery from rotator cuff surgery. You can’t fight biology.

Can you wait too long for rotator cuff surgery?

The bottom line is that based on these studies,

6 months appears to a reasonable timeline within which to repair the rotator cuff and optimize one’s outcome

. When delayed, there is often progression in tear size and a decreased biologic potential for healing.

What is the fastest way to recover from rotator cuff surgery?

  1. Wear your shoulder immobilizer or sling. …
  2. Participate in physical therapy. …
  3. Eliminate pain medication as quickly as possible. …
  4. Avoid certain shoulder positions and arm movements. …
  5. Don’t rush your recovery.

What happens at 3 weeks after rotator cuff surgery?

3 weeks to 6 weeks- Post-acute recovery

Therapy should not be “painful”, but

you will have some discomfort with getting the shoulder out of the sling and having it moved around more

. You are still not allowed to actively lift your arm at this point.

How long do you have to sleep in a recliner after shoulder surgery?

Sleep in a Reclined Position

As your pain subsides and your shoulder heals, you can slowly lower yourself deeper into a horizontal position until it’s finally comfortable again. You will most likely need to sleep in a semi-reclined position for

at least six weeks

after surgery, sometimes longer.

Is walking good after rotator cuff surgery?

When can I exercise after shoulder surgery?

You can do things like walk immediately

. Usually, you will be in a sling for a period of 2 to 6 weeks depending on the type of surgery. During that time you can remove the sling to extend the elbow several times a day.

What percentage of rotator cuff surgeries are successful?

What is the success rate for rotator cuff surgery? Rotator cuff surgery has

more than a 95% success rate for small tears

. For two tendon tears, the success rate is still greater than 70%. Untreated tears tend to get bigger, so it is best to repair tears while they are small.

Is there an alternative to rotator cuff surgery?

In studies,

PRP injections

have been found to be a safe and cost-effective treatment for RCT. In pilot studies, this sort of treatment has been shown to result in improvements to pain, function and tendon pathology, and it should be a realistic alternative for people suffering from rotator cuff injuries.

Can you live with a rotator cuff tear?


Patients with “well-balanced” massive rotator cuff tears may still have good active motion and be able to perform their activities of daily living

. This is usually achieved through balanced force coupling across the glenohumeral joint (intact subscapularis and teres minor) and recruitment of the deltoid muscle.

Which is worse rotator cuff surgery or knee replacement?

Summary: Contrary to widespread belief,

total surgical replacement of arthritic shoulder joints carries no greater risk of complications than replacement of other major joints

, a Johns Hopkins study suggests. Total shoulder replacements are as safe as swapping out hips and knees, according to Hopkins researchers.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.