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
With the majority of these procedures, you will not have to stay in hospital overnight, as this is an outpatient surgery. Nevertheless, you must stay in the hospital until your shoulder pain can be handled with home medications. You will also wear a protective sling so your shoulder and arm muscles can rest and therefore speed the healing along faster.
Some tips to speed up rotator cuff surgery recovery during the first few days after the operation, which are very important in the later phases, include:
-Control your pain by taking pain medications right when you feel pain in your shoulder.
* Try different combinations of pain and anti-inflammation medicines under the guidance of your doctor.
* Place an ice bag over your shoulder so as to lessen the pain and speed up healing.
-When going to sleep, sleep in a semi-seated position with your elbows facing down.
Phases of Recovery
It must be emphasized that the phases of rotator cuff surgery recovery will vary from one person to the next in terms of the time taken to progress from one phase to another. As such, it is best to comply with your personalized rehabilitation protocol.
During the first phase of recovery, which can last for up to 6 weeks, you will be directed to perform passive motions only. Basically, this means the avoidance of any kind of work and/or stress on the rotator cuff tendons and muscles. In this case, your physical therapist will perform two things. First, he will move your repaired shoulder for you and, second, he will provide instructions on how to move your shoulders with the least possible muscle contractions.
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.
For the third phase, also called the strengthening period, you will focus on doing isolation exercises to provide strength to muscles that have been rendered weak due to inactivity. This is the most important phase in rotator cuff surgery recovery since full muscle function can be returned once this step is successfully done.
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.
In the end, the effort you put into your recovery, the size and location of the rotator cuff tear and your overall health will decide how well and swiftly you will go through rotator cuff surgery recovery.
Day of the Operation
With the majority of these procedures, you will not have to stay in hospital overnight, as this is an outpatient surgery. Nevertheless, you must stay in the hospital until your shoulder pain can be handled with home medications. You will also wear a protective sling so your shoulder and arm muscles can rest and therefore speed the healing along faster.
Some tips to speed up rotator cuff surgery recovery during the first few days after the operation, which are very important in the later phases, include:
-Control your pain by taking pain medications right when you feel pain in your shoulder.
* Try different combinations of pain and anti-inflammation medicines under the guidance of your doctor.
* Place an ice bag over your shoulder so as to lessen the pain and speed up healing.
-When going to sleep, sleep in a semi-seated position with your elbows facing down.
Phases of Recovery
It must be emphasized that the phases of rotator cuff surgery recovery will vary from one person to the next in terms of the time taken to progress from one phase to another. As such, it is best to comply with your personalized rehabilitation protocol.
During the first phase of recovery, which can last for up to 6 weeks, you will be directed to perform passive motions only. Basically, this means the avoidance of any kind of work and/or stress on the rotator cuff tendons and muscles. In this case, your physical therapist will perform two things. First, he will move your repaired shoulder for you and, second, he will provide instructions on how to move your shoulders with the least possible muscle contractions.
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.
For the third phase, also called the strengthening period, you will focus on doing isolation exercises to provide strength to muscles that have been rendered weak due to inactivity. This is the most important phase in rotator cuff surgery recovery since full muscle function can be returned once this step is successfully done.
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.
In the end, the effort you put into your recovery, the size and location of the rotator cuff tear and your overall health will decide how well and swiftly you will go through rotator cuff surgery recovery.
About the Author:
Tom Nicholson spends his time helping carpal tunnel sufferers. Please click here to learn more regardingrotator cuff surgery recovery.
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