For the first 6-8 weeks after surgery, your
surgeon will ask you to wear a sling to protect the repaired tendons
. The next phase of recovery, from 8-12 weeks after the surgery, is focused on getting the shoulder to move normally again, while still not doing any lifting that could pull apart the repair.
What happens at 3 months after rotator cuff surgery?
After spending up to three months without much use, the rotator
cuff muscles have weakened and need to be strengthened
in order to return to normal activity level. You will learn the proper exercises that focus directly on the specific muscles that need attention.
What can you do 8 weeks after rotator cuff surgery?
You will begin active range of motion (AROM) exercises around 5 to 6 weeks after surgery. This is when you lift the weight of your arm against gravity, but no additional weight. Around 7 to 8 weeks most patients
begin strengthening exercises using weights or resisted bands
.
Should I still have pain 8 weeks after rotator cuff surgery?
This observation is supported by a study showing that in patients who have had rotator cuff surgery, strength in the shoulder muscles is not fully recovered until nine months after the surgery. As a result, it is normal to expect some continued symptoms of pain or soreness after rotator cuff surgery for
several months
.
What happens at 7 weeks after rotator cuff surgery?
Weeks 7-10
For the first week,
the patient should not have more than a coffee cup weight in the hand
. If this goes well, then the patient can increase functional activities as tolerated. Physical therapy exercises increase by adding active range of motion and strengthening as tolerated.
What happens at 12 weeks after rotator cuff surgery?
By 12-14 weeks,
most patients have regained the majority of their passive motion and begin gentle strengthening that progresses over the
next three months.
What happens at 6 months after rotator cuff surgery?
Approximately
4
-6 months after rotator cuff repair, you can expect to complete the rehabilitation process. Your exact shoulder surgery recovery timeline will depend on a combination of factors, including the severity of your rotator cuff injury and the speed at which your body naturally heals.
How long before I can lift my 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. You should not reach behind your back with the operative arm.
How soon should you start physical therapy after rotator cuff surgery?
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 long before I can use my arm after rotator cuff surgery?
You may use your wrist, hand, and elbow for daily activities. This includes eating, shaving, dressing, as long as you do not move your operated arm away from your body and it does not increase your pain. Do not use your arm to push up/off the bed or chair for
six weeks
after your surgery.
How long do you wear a sling after rotator cuff repair?
With many rotator cuff surgeries, you wear a sling or immobilizer at all times for
4-6 weeks
. During this time, you can move your hand, wrist, and fingers, but the full motion of your arm is limited.
What happens if I don’t wear my sling after rotator cuff surgery?
No sling does not mean the patient can begin moving their arm immediately. Patients still are restricted from
any active shoulder range of motion
after surgery for up to 12 weeks to allow for full tendon healing. My full rotator cuff rehabilitation protocol is given here.
What are the symptoms of a failed rotator cuff surgery?
A shoulder surgery has failed when it does not achieve the expectations of the patient and the surgeon. Failure can result from
stiffness, weakness, instability, pain or failure to heal
, and from complications such as infection or nerve injury.
What should I do 10 weeks after rotator cuff surgery?
Reduced Strength
By around week 10-12 of your recovery you should be close to regaining full ROM in the shoulder – this is when strengthening exercises begin! You’ll be put through a series of exercises aimed at increasing shoulder strength, power, and endurance.
How long does stiffness last after rotator cuff surgery?
Conclusions: In patients experiencing stiffness after rotator cuff surgery, the repair is less likely to fail at 6 months. Although the stiffness generally resolves by 5 years, this protective effect still persists at
9 years after surgery
.
Will my shoulder ever be the same after rotator cuff surgery?
Shoulder function not fully restored after rotator cuff surgery
, follow-up study finds. Summary: Shoulder motion after rotator cuff surgery remains significantly different when compared to the patient’s opposite shoulder, according to new study.
Why does my elbow hurt after rotator cuff surgery?
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.
Can you damage a rotator cuff repair?
In general, surgery involving anesthesia, which includes rotator cuff surgery, poses a slight risk of stroke, heart attack, pneumonia, or blood clot. Damage
to adjacent
nerves and blood vessels. One study found that 1 to 2% of patients going through rotator cuff surgery experience nerve damage.
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.
How long do I have to sleep in a recliner after rotator cuff surgery?
If you can, sleep in a recliner, or reclined position
up to a couple weeks after your surgery
. If you don’t have a recliner, you can use pillows on the couch or in bed.
How often should I stretch after rotator cuff surgery?
Strengthening exercises should be done 3 days each week. SHOULDER
STRETCHING Stretching should be done daily
. Hold each stretch for 15 seconds, rest for 15 seconds, and repeat 5 times.
What happens if I don’t wear my sling?
One-and-a-half months after surgery, patients who did not wear a sling had
increased shoulder motion
, including external (outward) rotation and active elevation. Both groups showed continued improvement at three months, but shoulder elevation remained greater in the no-sling group.
