RehabFAQs

how long is the rehab period following rotator cuff surgery

by Otho Champlin Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

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.Nov 29, 2019

How long does it take to recover from rotator cuff surgery?

Oct 21, 2019 · What is the Rotator Cuff Surgery Recovery Timeline? The Rotator Cuff Surgery Recovery Timeline varies significantly and can take 6 months or more. A shoulder immobilizer may be required for 4-6 weeks for maximal healing. There are four common phases. Phase 1:Passive motion: 1-6 weeks depending upon the size of tear and strength of the repair.

What is the average recovery time for rotator cuff surgery?

Jan 30, 2019 · Rotator cuff repair: Surgery to re-attach a torn rotator cuff tendon typically takes 6 weeks for preliminary healing of tendon to bone. At 6 weeks, the sling is discontinued. Physical therapy is helpful initially to regain range of motion of the shoulder. Once rom has been restored, aditional pt to regain strength and function.

When can you return to work after rotator cuff surgery?

If you need rotator cuff surgery, the duration and speed at which you progress will depend in large part on whether your surgeon repaired your rotator cuff with stitches or not. Physical Therapy , Rotator Cuff , Shoulder Problems and Treatments Buffalo New York , Canada , physical therapy and rotator cuff , rotator cuff surgery , shoulder surgery

How long will I be out after rotator cuff surgery?

Nov 24, 2010 · Our data suggest approximately 30% of patients achieve functional recovery within 3 months after ARCR, 40% between 3 and 6 months, and 30% greater than 6 months. A number of studies have reported preoperative factors influencing functional outcomes after rotator cuff repair (Table 1 ).

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.Sep 18, 2017

How long after rotator cuff surgery can you resume normal activities?

After about four to six months, you may be able to resume full activity. Again, everyone's rotator cuff surgery recovery timeline is different. The time it takes to return to normal activity depends on the size of the tear, commitment to recovery and more.Jul 2, 2019

What can you do 3 months after rotator cuff surgery?

Clinical research suggests gentle rotator cuff strengthening is safe at 3 months for routine repairs. However, many surgeons advocate for delayed strengthening at 4 months for large to massive tears, allowing for a more mature healing response.Mar 15, 2018

How long will I be pain free after rotator cuff surgery?

4-6 months + For many rotator cuff patients, six months is a key staging post on the road to a full recovery. By now your shoulder should be feeling stronger, and routine tasks will be returning.Jan 8, 2019

How many weeks of physical therapy do you need for rotator cuff surgery?

How many weeks of physical therapy do you need for rotator cuff surgery? Generally, a patient wears a sling for the first two to three weeks and begins physical therapy one week after surgery. The physical therapy program typically lasts for three to four months.Dec 20, 2021

How soon can you drive after rotator cuff surgery?

Post-Surgery In general, you'll want to avoid driving a car for at least six to 12 weeks, or until your doctor has indicated you no longer need to wear a sling. Driving with one arm is unsafe, and the shoulder that underwent surgery shouldn't be moved too far away from the body.Feb 9, 2018

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

5 Tips to Speed Your Recovery from Rotator Cuff SurgeryWear your shoulder immobilizer or sling. ... Participate in physical therapy. ... Eliminate pain medication as quickly as possible. ... Avoid certain shoulder positions and arm movements. ... Don't rush your recovery.

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.

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.Nov 1, 2017

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.Nov 22, 2021

Can I take my sling off to sleep?

0:481:57Living With a Sling: Tips for Sleeping and Sitting Comfortably - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you can at this point in time use a pillow to help take the stress not only off the shoulder.MoreAnd you can at this point in time use a pillow to help take the stress not only off the shoulder. But also maybe even more importantly off the other side of your neck. So you're still in the sling.

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.Apr 19, 2017

How long does it take to recover from rotator cuff surgery?

What is the Rotator Cuff Surgery Recovery Timeline? 1 Phase 1:Passive motion: 1-6 weeks depending upon the size of tear and strength of the repair. 2 Phase 2: Active Motion: 6-12 weeks. You start moving your shoulder with the contraction of your muscles. 3 Phase 3: Strengthening: 12-16 weeks. Injury, surgery, early phases of restricted motion result in weakness that now must be restored. 4 Phase 4 Full activity: 16-24 weeks. Strengthening with continued improvement in range of motion and return to play.

How long does it take to heal a rotator cuff?

The Rotator Cuff Surgery Recovery Timeline varies significantly and can take 6 months or more. A shoulder immobilizer may be required for 4-6 weeks for maximal healing. There are four common phases. Phase 1:Passive motion: 1-6 weeks depending upon the size of tear and strength of the repair. Phase 2: Active Motion: 6-12 weeks.

What is the rotator cuff?

To Conclude…. The rotator cuff is a complex of muscles and tendons that provide stability and function to the shoulder. Injuries can occur and surgery for rotator cuff tears has increased. Recovery from rotator cuff surgery is commonly divided into 4 phases.

What are the four muscles that compromise the rotator cuff?

The four muscles that compromise the rotator cuff are the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis and teres minor. The rotator cuff is also important in shoulder functions such as reaching overhead, ...

How long is the recovery period after rotator cuff surgery?

Rotator cuff repair: Surgery to re-attach a torn rotator cuff tendon typically takes 6 weeks for preliminary healing of tendon to bone. At 6 weeks, the sling is discontinued. Physical therapy is helpful initially to regain range of motion of the shoulder. Once rom has been restored, aditional pt to regain strength and function.

How long would it take to recover from rotator cuff surgery?

6 mo: Having had 5 cuff surgeries i can tell u it is long & hard. After immobilization and starting pt the next day u r stiff sore & weak. I think it is easily 6 mo or more, up 2 a year sometimes 2 ur end of rehab, and ur not back 2 ur normal self as far as activities r concerned.

How bad is rotator cuff surgery?

Not too bad!!!: Although all surgeries can involve some initial pain and discomfort, rotator cuff repair surgery can be done very safely these days and with minimal risk. Although some tears can be challenging to repair, recovery time and therapy that goes along with it are generally well tolerated.

What should be the cost of rotator cuff surgery?

Hard to say.: It depends on many things. There is a charge from the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and the hospital/outpatient surgery center. There is the cost of implants used for the repair. The better question is what does everyone get paid? Most of the time the insurance companies will only pay so much for a particular procedure.

What's a rotator cuff surgery like?

Worth doing: The rotator cuff is a group of 4 tendons that serve a very important role in shoulder function. Tears of the rotator cuff do not heal on their own. Surgery is usually necessary if tears are causing pain & dysfunction. The state of the art is arthroscopic repair. Surgery is outpatient, takes about an hour, & pain levels are not so bad.

What is it like to have rotator cuff surgery?

We repair RC: Tears with a camera and miniature tools in a procedure called arthroscopy. Arthroscopy has become the primary means of fixing rotator cuffs. A sport medicine or shoulder orthopaedist can help you with this. Surgery is typically outpatient takes 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. You are in a sling for 4-6 weeks.

How long does it take for Phil to get a rotator cuff surgery?

Both brothers had surgery on their respective rotator cuffs. But the surgeon told Phil that he would need 4-6 months of physical therapy and told Pat that he would need only 2-3 months.

Why did Fred have to wait to do active motion on his shoulder?

He would also need to “ protect the repair .” In other words, Fred would have to wait to do “active” motion on his healing left shoulder to make sure that the tendon didn’t detach again before it had a chance to heal. He wouldn’t be able to do strengthening exercises for 3 months.

Do you need physical therapy after rotator cuff surgery?

The truth is, most people need at least some physical therapy after rotator cuff surgery. But for some, it’s much shorter than they might expect. The length of time you do therapy often depends on one key factor.

Did Pat and Pat have rotator cuff tears?

What I neglected to tell you was that, while it’s true that they both brothers had “rotator cuff tears” their tears were not the same. Pat’s tear was not as bad. When the surgeon did Pat’s arthroscopic surgery, he found that the rotator cuff was “ frayed ” but not completely torn off of the bone. He had a partial tear .

How long does it take to heal a rotator cuff?

Here is a general overview of the rehabilitation timeline you can expect following surgical rotator cuff repair: – The day of the procedure – Rotator cuff surgery is an outpatient procedure that typically takes a few hours.

How long does it take to recover from shoulder surgery?

For most patients, this phase of recovery begins about 4-6 weeks after surgery. You will start by performing passive motion, which involves your therapist moving your shoulder in a way that does not place tension on it. Then, you will move on to active motion, or moving your arm on your own without resistance.

How to control shoulder pain after shoulder surgery?

You should take this medication as directed to manage the shoulder pain and discomfort you are likely to feel in the days after surgery. Icing your shoulder and sleeping in a semi-upright position with your elbow pointed downward are two other important steps for pain control.

Can you have rotator cuff surgery right away?

For more severe tears, surgery may be considered right away. When deciding whether to undergo surgery, patients should discuss details of the procedure with their orthopedic surgeon. Among other questions, they should ask, “How long is recovery after rotator cuff surgery?”.

How to heal a shoulder after a shoulder surgery?

Immediately after the operation, you will be encouraged to keep the shoulder as still as possible. Pain will vary from person to person and depend on the extent of the repair to the shoulder. The frequent application of cold packs to the area will help to reduce the swelling and the pain. The first phase of recovery can potentially last up ...

How long does it take to recover from a sprained arm?

3 to 6 months. This is the period during which you will begin to strengthen the muscles in the arm after the relatively long period of inactivity. This is essential to your full recovery.

How does a sling help with tendonitis?

The use of the sling keeps the weight of your arm off of the tendon which assists in the healing process . After some time, and according to your individual needs, your surgeon will advise you to attend physical therapy sessions.

Can you lift heavy objects with a tendon pulled out?

You will not be able to lift or push heavy objects as, even after this amount of time, placing this sort of strain on the joint may cause the sutures anchoring the tendon to the bone to pull out. You should avoid supporting your body weight using the affected arm.

Is shoulder surgery required?

24 September 2014. In the majority of cases, most shoulder injuries should not require surgical intervention. However, a major tear in the rotator cuff – the tendon and ligaments that are attached to and enfold the head of the arm bone or humerus – does usually require surgery.

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