The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that connect your upper arm bone (humerus) to your shoulder blade (scapula). If one of the tendons gets torn through wear and tear or an injury, you may need rotator cuff surgery.
If you’re preparing for this procedure, you may be wondering about rotator cuff surgery recovery time. This period can vary depending on the severity of your original injury and your post-op care regime. If you take care of yourself after the surgery, chances are you will recover quicker.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the timeline for recovery after rotator cuff surgery and offer some tips to aid your rehabilitation.
What Is the Typical Recovery Timeline After Rotator Cuff Surgery?
Complete recovery from rotator cuff surgery usually takes four to six months. It can be split into several phases:
Immediate Post-Op
Once you’ve had your surgery, your arm will be put in a sling to support your muscles and tendons. You’ll stay at the hospital or outpatient center until your pain is well controlled and staff are satisfied that it’s safe for you to go home.
When you’re home, you can take the pain relief and/or anti-inflammatory medication that your doctor has prescribed for you and apply ice packs to your shoulder area to ease pain and reduce swelling.
Initial recovery from rotator cuff surgery can take up to 10 days.
Early Rehabilitation
The next phase of recovery takes up to six weeks. During this time, you should not move the muscles and tendons around your affected shoulder. Instead, you must stick to a regime of “passive motion” where your doctor or physical therapist moves them for you.
As you get stronger, your therapist can show you how to move your shoulder without using your rotator cuff muscles.
Long-Term Recovery
The long-term recovery phase can take up to 12 weeks from the date of your procedure.
As your tendons heal, you can start using “active motion.” Your therapist can show you exercises to build your strength without straining your muscles and tendons.
Most people will have made a full recovery six months after their rotator cuff surgery. But how quickly you recover can depend on many different factors. Rotator cuff surgery recovery time will be reduced if:
- You are generally fit and healthy.
- Your original injury was not severe.
- You have less invasive surgery. This is called arthroscopy, and it avoids having to make a large incision.
- You follow your doctor’s instructions for recovery.
- You work with a physical therapist who is knowledgeable about shoulder conditions.
What Rehabilitation Strategies Can Facilitate Rotator Cuff Surgery Recovery?
Physical therapy is an essential part of your recovery from rotator cuff surgery. Targeted exercises will help you heal sooner, restore your range of motion, and strengthen your shoulder muscles.
To help you recover, your therapist will create a tailored program of exercises. These usually include:
- Passive motion exercises: This is when your therapist stretches or moves your shoulder for you. They may show you some passive motion exercises that don’t involve contracting the muscle that you can do yourself.
- Active-assisted exercises: This refers to making movements yourself by contracting your muscles.
- Progressive strengthening exercises: These exercises work by progressively increasing the weight or resistance you use. This builds up your strength gradually and safely.
How Can JAG Physical Therapy Support Rotator Cuff Surgery Recovery?
To minimize recovery time, consider enrolling in a specialized rotator cuff surgery rehabilitation program offered by JAG Physical Therapy. We use an effective evidence-based approach with custom treatment plans for the best results.
Your therapist will guide you through each stage of the recovery process, from straight after surgery to your return to normal activity.
Achieve Optimal Rotator Cuff Recovery with JAG Physical Therapy
If you’ve got rotator cuff surgery planned, why not enlist the help of the JAG Physical Therapy team to aid your rehab and recovery?
Schedule an appointment today to start your personalized rehabilitation program. Count on JAG PT to help you achieve a quicker and more comfortable recovery.