Our rotator cuff is formed by a group of muscles and tendons which surround the shoulder joint. This keeps the head of the upper arm bone firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder. Rotator cuff injuries are common and can increase with age.
While most rotator cuff tears can be treated without surgery, using different types of therapy, there are other cases in which surgery is the only way to restore the strength of the upper arm and relieve pain. In some cases, surgery has to be done right after an injury. On the contrary, for some patients, surgery might be the right option after different types of therapies have failed. If you need to undergo rotator cuff surgery, read on this article to learn all about the procedure and how to recover after it.
There are different approaches to the rotator cuff surgery, which depend on the severity of the injury as well as the location of the tear. The rotator cuff surgery aims to reattach the tendon to the bone. Depending on each case, your surgeon can use minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques or, for more severe cases, they may need to make a larger incision to access the operation area.
Rotator cuff surgery has a recovery period in which you are required to rest and do physical therapy to restore functionality. Regardless of the type of procedure you receive, you will be asked and advised to rest your shoulder and arm as much as possible for the first few weeks post-surgery. Let’s go over what the following weeks after the procedure will be like, so that you are aware of what to expect and how to recover fast from rotator cuff surgery.
After you are discharged from hospital, your week after surgery will begin by going home, and you’ll be asked to rest as much as possible. A sling will be placed on your arm to protect it from muscle strain or accidental injury. You won’t need to rest your shoulder; you can still use your elbow, wrist, and hand. Ice can be used to alleviate pain, and you may also be prescribed painkillers.
For the first two to six weeks after surgery, your daily activities will be limited so as to ensure that the shoulder is fully recovered. However, activities that do not require great effort, such as eating, are perfectly allowed if you are healing as expected. This period will be the time where you will start physical therapy and will be supervised by the healthcare professionals.
You and your physical therapist will focus on strengthening your shoulder muscles again for two to three months after surgery. Each person’s physical rehabilitation will take a different amount of time, so this phase may take longer for some than for others.
It is important to note that even a year after surgery, your shoulder will still be healing, so be careful and take precautions to avoid re-injury. You will be able to resume sports activities and regular activities around the house and at work, but don’t push yourself too hard. If you are unsure whether an activity can be done safely, consult your physical therapist first.
When you first arrive at your doctor’s appointment, the doctor will ask you about your symptoms, give you a physical exam, and suggest imaging tests like an X-ray or MRI to see if you qualify for rotator cuff surgery.
The rotator cuff surgery can be done in any person who has suffered a serious fall or accident, but athletes, seniors, bowlers, and people who perform a lot of physical, repetitive motions for work are more likely to sustain this injury. Doctors typically recommend surgery for injuries that cannot be successfully treated with non-surgical methods.
If you are anticipating a rotator cuff surgery and want to optimize your health prior, our professionals at Pure Health Clinics can help you. Schedule an appointment at our nearest clinic and receive the best rotator cuff surgery and assessment in Idaho.
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