What should I do immediately after rotator cuff surgery?

What should I do immediately after rotator cuff surgery?

8 Tips to Speed Recovery After Rotator Cuff Surgery

1. Wear a sling. To speed recovery, it is important to keep your shoulder immobilized initially after surgery so your tendon can heal.
2. Sleep carefully.
3. Ask for help.
4. Watch for complications.
5. Do the physical therapy.
6. Keep comfortable.
7. Be mindful of your movement.
8. Pace yourself.

When do you start therapy after rotator cuff surgery?

You should start formal physical therapy with a therapist seven to ten days after your surgery. Typically we recommend that you see a therapist twice a week, but sometimes it is less and sometimes it is more depending upon your particular surgery.

How long before you can use your 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 will I need pain meds after rotator cuff surgery?

Using a mathematical model, the team determined that the median length of a prescription was four days for hysterectomy, appendectomy and cholecystectomy; five days for inguinal hernia repair, mastectomy, ACL repair and rotator cuff repair; and seven days for discectomy.

What is passive range of motion after shoulder surgery?

Passive range of motion is to begin 6 weeks after surgery. Passive range of motion requires the therapist or an assistant at home to put the arm through a comfortable range of motion while the patient is supine. Motions include forward elevation, external rotation, and abduction-all within a comfortable range.

How long will my shoulder hurt 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.

How long should I ice my shoulder after rotator cuff surgery?

Icing is very important for the first 7-14 days after surgery. While the post-op dressing is in place, icing/cooling machine should be performed as frequently as possible. Once the dressing is removed (after 48-72 hours), ice is applied for 20-minute periods 3-4 times per day or as much as tolerated.

How bad is rotator cuff surgery?

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.

What happens after rotator cuff surgery?

You may feel tired for several days after the rotator cuff surgery. You may notice swelling in the operated arm which is normal and will get better in a few days. Initially following the Rotator cuff surgery, the focus will be on controlling the pain.

What to expect following a rotator cuff repair?

Surgery for rotator cuff repair requires significant recovery time. The patient will most likely wear a sling for up to four weeks. It will take approximately 12 weeks for the tendon to heal, but patients may begin light activities, such as writing, during that time. A return to full activities is usually achieved after six months.

How long out of work for rotator cuff surgery?

Depending on your occupation and the type of work you perform the recovery from rotator cuff surgery may require a lot of time off work to allow your rotator cuff to heal properly. The precise amount of time needed to be off from work after rotator cuff surgery can vary from 3-8 months.