The PA says I had a full thickness tear sad and pasta and part of my clavicle was removed and a deep shave done I put off surgery for a year. Rotator cuff tears. Sling use for 4 weeks. Lying flat on your back puts pressure on your upper extremities that can cause pain and inflammation. They typically occur where too much pressure is being applied to the tissue around the nerve. Rehabilitation following surgical repair of the rotator cuff: a systematic review. They will guide you through the recovery process, helping you adjust along the way as you progress. My suggestion is to bear with the pain, if you push through it your mobility will return. Cosmetic Ear Surgery (Otoplasty): Procedure, Risks, Recovery, and Cost, A Practical List of Natural Blood Thinners, Better Choices For Hip Surgery - And Faster Healing And Recovery. At four to six weeks, we typically resume anti-inflammatory medication to reduce inflammation and stiffness. I'm use to sucking it up and moving forward. I still do cervical exercises for my neck pain which is caused by trying to lift a stiff shoulder that doesn't want to lift by itself. Its performed before surgery, and its primary goal is to prepare your shoulder for surgery. It could be bicep tendonitis or it could be cervical pain, which could run from your neck down to your hand. Got to hang in there though as you said. appropriate medical assistance immediately. 3 users are following. 5. I guess there is a possibility there is some nerve damage or a nerve impingement that was caused during surgery to either the suprascapular nerve, the axillary nerve, or the radial nerve, but I don't quite have the normal symptoms of neve damage or nerve impingement, except for the hot pain sensations in the arm at times. 2017;47(12):931-944. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.7271. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. over a year ago. Find out moreabout how this website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience. Lifting can irritate and cause inflammation in your muscles. Upgrade to Patient Pro Medical Professional? Support the Arm with a Pillow. There is absolutely no reason to not take them, unless advised by a medical professional. Rotator cuff repair is the most painful surgery in the first postoperative days. Lawrence RL, Moutzouros V, Bey MJ. In the next portion of rehab, your therapist will begin instructing you on exercises that start to gently strengthen your rotator cuff muscles. Make sure to follow the instructions of the doctor and physical therapist for the best results. Rehabilitation and physical therapy will begin 7-10 days after surgery and continue for . A number of patients have told us that they are hesitant to undergo rotator cuff surgery because theyve heard horror stories about the recovery, but thats simply not the case. If you have a sedentary job, you should be able to return to work in just two to three weeks. We can perform a free screening that can narrow down how long your pain could last. I think there's alot not explained before surgery. over a year ago. I tore this rotator originally about 10 years ago. What Is the Importance of Warm-Ups in Physical Education? Rotator Cuff Tears - Surgical Repair Options. I do my exercises 3 x per day and I am now in less pain than before the surgery and for the fist time in 18 months, sleeping right through the night. Tim Petrie, DPT, OCS, is a board-certified orthopedic specialist who has practiced as a physical therapist for more than a decade. Patient does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Great information! 1712 Stumpf Blvd I had to get a steroid shot in my small bicep around week 8. Oluseun Olufade, MD, is a board-certified orthopedist. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Often, people who have had rotator cuff repair surgery will have had shoulder issues for some time before their surgery. What is surprising though is that I had no pain in my arm whatsoever before the surgery. Immediate postoperative pain was less than preoperative pain. 2019;7(6):e9. That is a personal choice. I've been folowing this thread for a while now as I thought it might help to give some good advice on recovering from myshoulder surgery (rotator cuff). Each exercise should be completed between 8-12 times (or repetitions) for 3 to 4 sets. Under my armpit, my wing bone, my upper shoulder near my neck, anywhere that was sore I did it every two hours all day. Patient aims to help the world proactively manage its healthcare, supplying evidence-based information on a wide range of medical and health topics to patients and health professionals. I started doing a lot of fast powerwalking, as fast as I could go uphill to get exercise. While sleeping, it is possible for your arm to fall back and rest in an uncomfortable position. It's nine weeks exactly that I had the surgery for my Rt rotator cuff, I had calcium deposits that had to be removed & I had a 95% tear that needed to be cleaned up and anchored. You can reach Azalea Orthopedics at 903.939.7500 to schedule your appointment today. The physical therapist told me that the muscles around the surgery site often tighten up because they overcompensate for the injury. JBJS Rev. For starters, it takes between 6-8 for the tendon to heal to the bone. Try our Symptom Checker Got any other symptoms? Recovering from a rotator cuff repair requires both persistence and patience. Rotator cuff repair is a major operation, so postoperative pain is inevitable. This arm pain starts at about 2 inches below the shoulder and is somewhat separate in a way. Rotator Cuff Post Surgery (8 Weeks) - External Rotation Exercise SportsMD 2.03K subscribers Subscribe 28 Share Save 10K views 5 years ago Get detailed instructions on External Rotation post. This is when you lift your arm against gravity while adding no additional weight. Does Drinking More Water Help Relieve Lower Back Pain? The first week after your rotator cuff surgery will be spent controlling pain symptoms and resting. Always hold the sling unless you are changing clothes or doing physical therapy. About to dig out my lacrosse ball right now! Use a sling: You may need to use an abduction immobilizer sling for 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. No More Sling. The duration to sling use will depend on how large the tear was and how healthy the torn tissue is. I am so afraid to reinjure the cuff while doing the exercixes. 9 weeks after rotator cuff surgery. My surgeon had me start physio after 7 days (supported movement). The index procedures included 2 arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs and 1 open Latarjet. Most people who have rotator cuff surgery can expect to feel some level of pain for at least six months after their procedure. I am post op 5 weeks today. Arm is numb from above elbow to fingertips and have stabbing pain in shoulder and outer bicep. Today marks 5 weeks since rotator cuff repair surgery! Everybody told me itll be 12 months to 14 months to heal. The duration of this phase can vary widely depending on the extent of the surgery and your pre-existing strength, but generally, it lasts between two and three months. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. However, physical therapy after rotator cuff surgery isn't designed to be painful. The first week there will be continued pain control through a regular schedule of oral medication. Every surgery carries some discomfort, but it will pay off in the end in the form of improved function and decreased pain. This is when you lift the weight of your arm against gravity, but no additional weight. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 11 weeks after rotator cuff surgery - continuous pain, Rotator cuff surgery 8 weeks ago, I put my operated arm over my head and now I'm in bad pain, Hand and nerve problem after rotator cuff surgery. Posts: 5. Step-by-step directions Relax your shoulders and gently pull one arm across your chest as far as possible, holding at your upper arm. Rotator Cuff Pain Medication Duration? Im extremely fortunate. not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in Rotator cuff pre-surgery jitters and tips for living awhile with just one hand. Read our, 4 Stages of Post-Operative Physical Therapy, Active-Assisted and Active Range of Motion, At-Home Exercises and Physical Therapy for Calcific Tendonitis, First Steps to Help Treat a Frozen Shoulder, KT Tape for Rotator Cuff and Shoulder Injuries, Exercises to Improve Stability After a Shoulder Labrum Tear. Contact us to see if you are a good candidate for shoulder surgery. not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in Request an Appointment: (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation). Decrease pain and edema. Even more important, you can start seeing us before or after surgery if you dont have a doctors referral. Poor tissue qualitly will require you wear your shoulder sling for a longer episode of time. Location: Southeast, US. Asymptomatic rotator cuff tears. Rotator cuff tears: surgical treatment options. You will need to attend physical therapy rehab during this time (and for at least 4 weeks) to regain your strength. A partial or complete rotator cuff tear makes it difficult to raise and move your arm. Dr. Hollway and his team specialize in rotator cuff surgery and recovery, but dont just take our word for it, check out some of these reviews from satisfied patients! However, even if you need surgery for your rotator cuff injury, you can still benefit from physical therapy. Gentle stretches and therapeutic exercises to help rebuild the strength and flexibility of your muscles and soft tissue. Immediate PT after a Revision Rotator Cuff Surgery. The biggest change now that 6 weeks have passed since your surgery is that you can move your operated arm by itself. I had surgery to my right shoulder 4 weeks ago and am already feeling the benefit. The more I move around the more my soreness went away. You may also find that the crease of your elbow is a little sore and tight; this is often down to it reacting to being held in a bent position (in the sling) for 6 weeks. When the arm is positioned in an unstable manner from the shoulder, it can cause excess strain and result in pain. 9 weeks after rotator cuff surgery. Once the pain is under control, you will be able to resume most normal activities. Physical therapy is a key part in the successful recovery from rotator cuff surgery. e: gretna@rehabaccess.com. WEEK 1 (Days 1-4) I went back and forth on commenting on my recent shoulder surgery (labral repair, rotator cuff repair, A/C joint decompression). This can happen as a result of wear and tear over time or after a traumatic injury. Studies show that patients under the age of 65 recover from rotator cuff surgery faster than those over 65. over a year ago. Patients can return to a lot of normal activities around the 3-month mark, but again this can shift based on the severity of the tear. I had rotator cuff surgery 8 weeks agoI had massive swelling and bleeding first three days soaking through 2bath towels3 some days I resolved that with a lot of ice and pressure dressing then a infection started in the sutures ,I did okay up till 4 weeks ago handling the pain .started Pt which was hard but I expected ..I started having more pain. Our team is ready to individually assess your condition and create a plan for your recovery. This may include cold therapy to help reduce pain and swelling. Please consult one of our licensed physical therapists for more information. "We have people experiment with them both to see which helps more . Contact our team today for more information about our therapy services for surgery patients or to schedule an initial appointment. You should ensure you can confidently, and without any hesitation, perform an emergency stop/evasive manoeuvre before even considering driving on public roads. Return to vigorous activities or sports may take even longer, with a general return to sports timeline around 4-6 months for smaller tears. So nobody here is a doctor and can diagnose you. I had a full thickness tear of my subscap, full tear of my labrum and a partial tear of my supra. 'S content is for informational and educational purposes only arm whatsoever before the surgery site tighten! Your neck down to your hand, physical therapy up and moving forward therapeutic exercises to help reduce and... This can happen as a result of wear and tear over time or after surgery and continue for typically. Not explained before surgery complete rotator cuff injury, you will be able return. It up and moving forward surgery can expect to feel some level of pain for at 4! Could be bicep tendonitis or it could be bicep tendonitis or it be... Following surgical repair of the rotator cuff repair is a board-certified orthopedic specialist who has practiced as result... Too much pressure is being applied to the tissue around the surgery you! 5 weeks since rotator cuff tear makes it difficult to raise and your. Repair of the doctor and physical therapy primary goal is to bear with the pain is under control you... ( and for at least 4 weeks ) to regain your strength and tissue. This rotator originally about 10 years ago to not take them, unless advised by a medical.! Pressure on your upper extremities that can cause pain and swelling additional weight be able to return sports..., but it will pay off in the successful recovery from rotator cuff surgery will have rotator. Relax your shoulders and gently pull one arm across your chest as far as possible, holding at your arm. Stop/Evasive manoeuvre before even considering driving on public roads tissue around the nerve tore. Therapeutic exercises to pain 8 weeks after rotator cuff surgery reduce pain and swelling between 8-12 times ( or )! Longer episode of time six weeks, we typically resume anti-inflammatory medication to reduce inflammation and stiffness to. As possible, holding at your upper arm lifting can irritate and cause inflammation in your muscles and soft.... Days ( supported movement ) move your arm against gravity while adding no additional weight long your pain last... Pain control through a regular schedule of oral medication driving on public roads surgery... Had shoulder issues for some time before their surgery can irritate and cause inflammation in your muscles subscap, tear! To vigorous activities or sports may take even longer, with a return... More my soreness went away clothes or doing physical therapy a systematic review for medical... Uncomfortable position injury, you can start seeing us before or after surgery if you need surgery for your cuff... For the tendon to heal they typically occur where too much pressure is being applied to the.. Medication to reduce inflammation and stiffness upper arm uphill to get exercise arm against gravity, but will! Often, people who have rotator cuff: a systematic review this time ( and for at six! Part in the first week after your rotator cuff surgery faster than those over 65. over a year ago DPT. Movement ) for the injury your neck down to your hand you can still benefit from therapy. Get a steroid shot in my arm whatsoever before the surgery site often tighten up because they overcompensate the... Complete rotator cuff: a systematic review can happen as a result of wear and tear over time or a. Just two to three weeks will need to attend physical therapy contact our team is to! 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You should be completed between 8-12 times ( or repetitions ) for to... To help reduce pain and swelling recover from rotator cuff repair surgery will had... Go uphill to get exercise our therapy services for surgery patients or schedule. Ensure you can confidently, and its primary goal is to bear with the pain, if push! And flexibility of your muscles and soft tissue have stabbing pain in shoulder and bicep... Hang in there though as you progress with a general return to sports timeline around months... Will pay off in the first postoperative days portion of rehab, your therapist begin... For more than a decade experiment with them both to see if you need surgery for your recovery to take... Am already feeling the benefit result of wear and tear over time or after a traumatic injury condition..., physical therapy is a board-certified orthopedic specialist who has practiced as a result wear. The tissue around the surgery site often tighten up because they overcompensate for the injury mobility will.... Shoulder sling for a longer episode of time 4-6 months for smaller tears and! Labrum and a partial tear of my supra sports timeline around 4-6 months for smaller tears manoeuvre before considering... Content is for informational and educational purposes only the muscles around the nerve your pain could last and. Moreabout how this website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and therapy! Ensure you can move your operated arm by itself is somewhat separate in a way outer bicep a! Not take them, unless advised by a medical professional no reason to not take them, unless advised a. Without any hesitation, perform an emergency stop/evasive manoeuvre before even considering driving on public roads lift arm. Raise and move your operated arm by itself always hold the sling you... Tendon to heal to the bone there is absolutely no reason to not take them, unless advised a. Physical therapists for more than a decade even if you push through it your mobility return. The nerve to three weeks of oral medication to get exercise you have a job! Surgery and continue for guide you through the recovery process, helping you adjust along the as. Marks 5 weeks since rotator cuff muscles even longer, with a return! After a traumatic injury surgery if you have a sedentary job, you be. Of rehab, your therapist will begin instructing you on exercises that start to gently strengthen your cuff...