What to expect: recovering from rotator cuff repair surgery in general, sports medicine.
Shoulder injuries can tear you away from your normal daily life. You rely on your shoulders for so much, especially if you work in manual labor or play sports, that an injury will keep you from even the simplest of tasks. Washing your hair, brushing your teeth, carrying groceries – all become nearly impossible to do without excruciating pain.
Rotator Cuff Repair Surgeries
If you have already tried non-surgical means to manage your shoulder pain, you may be a candidate for a rotator cuff repair. Your orthopedic surgery will recommend rotator cuff repair surgery when the pain from a tear in the rotator cuff tendon is unmanageable, lasts longer than 6-12 months, or the tendon is too far damaged to heal without assistance.
This procedure can be done either arthroscopically or open, although arthroscopic procedures are the least invasive and are therefore much quicker to heal from than open procedures. However, your orthopedic surgeon will opt for an open procedure if the tear on your rotator cuff is too large or complex to be corrected arthroscopically.
Rotator Cuff Recovery Process
Recovery after a rotator cuff repair procedure can be long and rigorous, slowly building up from complete rest and immobility to mild strength training with a physical therapist. Immediately after your repair procedure, and for the next 4 to 6 weeks, your arm will be placed in a sling to keep all strain off of the rotator cuff tendon. As little movement as possible will help your muscles, tendons, and ligaments heal to their natural form, decreasing scar tissue formation.
At first, sleep may be a bit difficult from having to keep your arm in place, but raising the top half of your body to a reclining position may help with comfortability.
After those first few weeks in a sling, you will begin to undergo very mild physical therapy. Your physical therapist will gently move your arm for you to prevent scar tissue from developing around the tendon.
Once you have completed the initial passive physical therapy, you will begin to move your shoulder on your own. At approximately 8 to 12 weeks postop, your physical therapist will then place you on a strengthening program to help you regain the muscle lost from immobility after surgery.
At Accident Doctor San Antonio, our sports medicine specialists are able to diagnose and treat your rotator cuff injury, as well as manage your postop rehabilitation. Whether old or new, if you have been injured and are looking for help with pain management or surgical intervention, our kind and compassionate staff is here for you.
For personalized, comprehensive rotator cuff tear treatment, walk right into one of our convenient for same-day treatment. Request an appointment online or call 210-342-2777 today for more information.
