Four muscle group helps to raise and rotate your shoulder by surrounding the head of the humerus (the ball-shaped tip of the arm bone) and making the rotator cuff.
These muscles also contribute to joint stability by assuring that the humeral head remains centered in the joint’s socket (glenoid) region; here in this article, you will find rotator cuff surgery recovery tips.
What Is Rotator Cuff Surgery and How Does It Work?
Not every rotator cuff rupture requires surgery. However, some symptoms and conditions in which rotator cuff repair surgery is necessary. These include:
Severe shoulder weakness makes it difficult to do everyday duties.
Shoulder pain and other symptoms
Shoulder weakness following a fall or an acute injury
MRI or other imaging revealing a significant rotator cuff tear
Suppose you and your orthopedic physician decide to go through with the procedure. In that case, the surgeon will generally repair the tendon by anchoring it to your humerus and then suturing the torn tendon to the anchors.
Physical therapy is usually started right after surgery to assist you in getting back on your feet.
Recovery tips after Surgery:
Follow these essential guidelines to get the best outcomes and recuperate as quickly as possible.
Use a sling or shoulder immobilizer.
After your surgery, your physical therapist will put you in a sling or a shoulder immobilizer to limit your arm mobility. The amount of time you must wear your sling or immobilizer is determined by the severity of your rotator cuff damage and the kind of surgery you underwent.
For 4-6 weeks after rotator cuff surgery, you must wear a sling or immobilizer at all times.
Get rid of pain relievers as soon as feasible.
After rotator cuff surgery — or any surgery, for that matter — it’s common to have pain and discomfort. While medicine might help you relax while you recuperate, it can also disguise the discomfort you’re experiencing during physical therapy. This decreased feeling might make it easier to overdo your workout and put your recovery back accidentally.
Avoid certain arm motions and shoulder placements.
It’s critical to prevent motions that might obstruct your healing while you’re recovering. Lifting items, putting weight on your shoulder or arm, reaching behind your body, raising your arm above, and moving your arm to the side are all examples of these activities.
Take your time with your rehabilitation.
After your rotator cuff surgery, it’s critical to listen to your doctor and follow their suggestions, no matter how fantastic you feel. Even if you’re not in pain, activities that impose pressure on your shoulder might raise your chance of re-injury dramatically. Returning to physical activity before your shoulder has recovered increases your risk of straining other body components, such as your elbow or spine.
Attend physical therapy sessions.
As your shoulder heals, the Physical therapy program contains exercises specifically intended to enhance your shoulder strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
Post-Operative Physical Therapy is divided into four stages.
Your rehabilitation in physical therapy is usually separated into various phases:
Range of Motion
Following surgery, the primary objective of treatment is to gradually increase your shoulder’s range of motion while safeguarding the surgical repair. Because the active movement of the arm is not permitted, your therapist will stretch the shoulder passively to relieve stiffness.
Active-Assisted and Active Range of Motion
During the second phase of therapy, your physical therapist will permit you to stretch your shoulder on your own using your other arm or another item (like a cane or pulleys). You’ll also be allowed to stop wearing your sling and begin moving your arm as much as you can handle.
At this time, a certain amount of stiffness and soreness in the shoulder is expected. As a result, the therapist may still need passive stretching and ice. This stage of therapy usually lasts three to four weeks.
Initial Stabilization
Your therapist will begin coaching you on exercises that will start to gently strengthen your rotator cuff muscles throughout the next phase of therapy. The surgical repair is now more stable and can withstand minor resistance.
The physical therapist will teach you strategies to strengthen the afflicted shoulder muscle and support forces in the rotator cuff and shoulder blades.
Late Strengthening Techniques
The third step in the physical therapy clinic focuses on raising the intensity of your exercises to improve your shoulder strength. A physical therapist will guide you about how to properly increase the amount of weight you employ and weight-bearing and pushing and pulling methods.
If a return to athletics is desired, sport-specific throwing activities along with the rotator mentioned above cuff surgery recovery tips can be begun at this time. This part of physical therapy varies. However, it might take many months until you are discharged.
