Recovering From Rotator Cuff Surgery

03 Mar Recovering From Rotator Cuff Surgery

Your shoulders make it possible to perform a wide variety of daily activities. Sometimes, however, a sudden injury can damage your shoulder muscles and result in a torn rotator cuff. In many cases, it is possible to cope with this injury through home treatment. When pain continues over a long period of time, it’s time to visit an orthopedist in Brooklyn. At Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation, we will help you overcome your torn rotator cuff, and help you recover from the after effects of surgery to the best of our ability. 

Recovering From Rotator Cuff Surgery

Your rotator cuff is the group of muscles and tendons in your shoulder that help you lift and rotate your arm. The two leading causes of rotator cuff tears are injury and degeneration. If you fall on an outstretched arm or lift something heavy, there is a chance that you can tear your rotator cuff. This injury can also occur with other shoulder injuries like a dislocated shoulder or a broken collarbone. Typically, most rotator cuff tears are the result of the tendon wearing down over time. 

There are many types of surgery that can be used to repair a torn rotator cuff. These include minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery and superior capsular reconstruction. Any surgical procedure involves recovery time, but here are some helpful tips to help aid in your recovery:

• Sleep carefully – Sleeping after shoulder surgery can be challenging. You might find it most comfortable to sleep in a semi-upright position. To help with this, you can use pillows to prop you up.
  
• Wear a sling – After surgery, you want to make sure that your shoulder is immobilized so the tendon can heal properly. A sling will provide you with support and stability.
  
• Monitor your symptoms – Keep an eye out for any complications after surgery like fever, redness, swelling, or sudden and severe pain.
  
• Active motion – Active motion can begin once the tendons have healed sufficiently. This means that you can move your own arm, but not with any extra resistance applied.
  
• Strengthening Exercises – After surgery, the muscles in the rotator cuff become weak. During the strengthening phase of your recovery, you can start improving your strength to regain your normal activity level. Consult with your orthopedist in Brooklyn to determine if you need therapeutic exercises. 

It can take 4 to 6 months to recover from rotator cuff surgery fully. Our team will be able to help you through this process. We understand that every tear and every surgery are different, so you can be confident that you are in good hands. 

Contact Our Orthopedist in Brooklyn

If you have been suffering from a torn rotator cuff, having a recovery plan following your surgery can ensure a smooth recovery process. Our orthopedist in Brooklyn at Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation can help! Contact us today to schedule an appointment!