Although most rotator cuff injuries can be remedied with non-surgical options, your doctor may recommend rotator cuff surgery to repair the tears present in the shoulder. Of course, the type of surgery will depend on many factors. No matter the surgery performed, however, the phases of rotator cuff surgery recovery will be similar.
Day of the Operation
In most cases, you need not stay overnight in the hospital since this is an outpatient procedure. However, you will have to stay in the hospital until such time that shoulder pain is managed through home medications. Your arm will also be encased in a specialized protective sling. This way, your shoulder and arm muscles will be in a relaxed position, hence, facilitating the healing process.
Here are some hints to quicken rotator cuff surgery recovery throughout the first days after the surgery, which are crucial in the later stages, are:
* Keep your pain under control by taking your pain medications as soon as you feel shoulder discomfort.
-Ask your doctor for guidance and find the right combination of pain and anti inflammation medicines.
-Apply an ice bag over your shoulder to lessen pain and help healing.
-When going to sleep, sleep in a semi-seated position with your elbows facing down.
Stages of Recovery
You should know that the stages of rotator cuff surgery recovery would depend on the situation of each patient when it comes to getting from one stage to the other. That is why it is best to adhere to your personalized rehabilitation program.
The first stage of recovery can go on for nearly 6 weeks, where you will be asked to only do passive motions. What this mean is not to work or stress out the rotator cuff tendons and muscles. During this stage, your physical therapist will do two things. He will firstly move your recovering shoulder for you and secondly, he will give you guidance on how to move your shoulders with as little muscle contractions as possible.
In the second part, you will be asked to move your arm on your own though you must not move it against any resistance at all. This is named the active motion phase and can go on up to 12 weeks from the time you have surgery.
The third stage is considered the strengthening part of your recovery where you will concentrate on performing isolation exercises to give strength to muscles that have become weak because of lack of activity. This is the most important stage in rotator cuff surgery recovery because full muscle function can come back once this stage is completed well.
During the fourth phase, you can now return to full activity for your shoulders. Of course, many factors affect this phase that can last up to 6 months after surgery and you will still have to consult with your doctor about returning to your old physical activities especially where your shoulder is concerned.
Lastly, your devotion to rehabilitation, the extent and location of the rotator cuff tear and your physical condition will determine how quickly you will recover from rotator cuff surgery. - 30453
Day of the Operation
In most cases, you need not stay overnight in the hospital since this is an outpatient procedure. However, you will have to stay in the hospital until such time that shoulder pain is managed through home medications. Your arm will also be encased in a specialized protective sling. This way, your shoulder and arm muscles will be in a relaxed position, hence, facilitating the healing process.
Here are some hints to quicken rotator cuff surgery recovery throughout the first days after the surgery, which are crucial in the later stages, are:
* Keep your pain under control by taking your pain medications as soon as you feel shoulder discomfort.
-Ask your doctor for guidance and find the right combination of pain and anti inflammation medicines.
-Apply an ice bag over your shoulder to lessen pain and help healing.
-When going to sleep, sleep in a semi-seated position with your elbows facing down.
Stages of Recovery
You should know that the stages of rotator cuff surgery recovery would depend on the situation of each patient when it comes to getting from one stage to the other. That is why it is best to adhere to your personalized rehabilitation program.
The first stage of recovery can go on for nearly 6 weeks, where you will be asked to only do passive motions. What this mean is not to work or stress out the rotator cuff tendons and muscles. During this stage, your physical therapist will do two things. He will firstly move your recovering shoulder for you and secondly, he will give you guidance on how to move your shoulders with as little muscle contractions as possible.
In the second part, you will be asked to move your arm on your own though you must not move it against any resistance at all. This is named the active motion phase and can go on up to 12 weeks from the time you have surgery.
The third stage is considered the strengthening part of your recovery where you will concentrate on performing isolation exercises to give strength to muscles that have become weak because of lack of activity. This is the most important stage in rotator cuff surgery recovery because full muscle function can come back once this stage is completed well.
During the fourth phase, you can now return to full activity for your shoulders. Of course, many factors affect this phase that can last up to 6 months after surgery and you will still have to consult with your doctor about returning to your old physical activities especially where your shoulder is concerned.
Lastly, your devotion to rehabilitation, the extent and location of the rotator cuff tear and your physical condition will determine how quickly you will recover from rotator cuff surgery. - 30453
About the Author:
Tom Nicholson spends his time helping carpal tunnel sufferers. Please follow this link to find out more regardingrotator cuff surgery recovery.
