There are two important parts to any rotator cuff surgery recovery. You need science, art, the medical professionals involved will provide the science, and you provide the art. Your physical therapist and surgeon have the science in their fingertips while you must have the art of knowing your body. There is of course also a support aspect to the entire process and that is the support of family or friends who will help you during recovery. It will take everyone working as a team to speed you to a healthy recovery.
Right after Surgery
There is a possibility that you will have to stay in the hospital for a couple of days. Open surgery requires the first few days of recovery to be monitored in the hospital for at least 24 hours. However if you have arthroscopic surgery you can go home immediately.
Regardless of the type of surgery, however, you will be required to wear a protective sling. This will aid in faster rotator cuff surgery recovery precisely because it will keep the arm and shoulder muscles as relaxed as possible. Keep in mind, however, that your physical therapist will help you perform passive exercises almost as soon as you get out of the hospital. This will ensure that your muscles do not atrophy and form debilitating scars.
Exercises during Recovery Period
There are four distinct phases of recovery, passive motion, active motion, strengthening and full activity. During each of these recovery phases, you will have specific exercises to do. Your physical therapist will provide you with the details for each area of recovery and the proper exercises you must do, they will generally fall into one of three categories, beginning, advanced and strengthening.
First, beginning exercises can be done with and without the help of your physical therapist. You can alternate between forward elevation of the arm, external rotation, and elbow flexion and extension and grip exercises, to name a few. Ask your physical therapist whether you are allowed to perform these exercises in the passive and active ways. This is an important step since exposing your shoulder muscles to stress before these are ready can adversely affect your rotator cuff surgery recovery.
Advanced exercises will be performed around 6-8 weeks after your surgery. These exercises will encourage you to use a full range of motion and should be repeated about 10-15 times daily. Your therapist will set these exercises up and instruct you thoroughly on the correct way to perform exercises such as internal rotation and cross body adductions.
Third, strengthening exercises aim to restore strength to your otherwise weakened muscles. This way, you can indeed go back to your daily activities even in sports.
During the strength training phase you will be required to life weights however you should remember not to stress the should muscles. In fact, your physical therapist should plan out a personal training program that includes internal and external rotations in addition to pressing exercises.
At any phase of exercise, you should consult with your doctor if any of the following occurs, redness, oozing fluid, fever, unaccustomed warmth or pain. Any of these can be a sign that your rotator cuff surgery recovery is not moving along as quickly as it should.
Right after Surgery
There is a possibility that you will have to stay in the hospital for a couple of days. Open surgery requires the first few days of recovery to be monitored in the hospital for at least 24 hours. However if you have arthroscopic surgery you can go home immediately.
Regardless of the type of surgery, however, you will be required to wear a protective sling. This will aid in faster rotator cuff surgery recovery precisely because it will keep the arm and shoulder muscles as relaxed as possible. Keep in mind, however, that your physical therapist will help you perform passive exercises almost as soon as you get out of the hospital. This will ensure that your muscles do not atrophy and form debilitating scars.
Exercises during Recovery Period
There are four distinct phases of recovery, passive motion, active motion, strengthening and full activity. During each of these recovery phases, you will have specific exercises to do. Your physical therapist will provide you with the details for each area of recovery and the proper exercises you must do, they will generally fall into one of three categories, beginning, advanced and strengthening.
First, beginning exercises can be done with and without the help of your physical therapist. You can alternate between forward elevation of the arm, external rotation, and elbow flexion and extension and grip exercises, to name a few. Ask your physical therapist whether you are allowed to perform these exercises in the passive and active ways. This is an important step since exposing your shoulder muscles to stress before these are ready can adversely affect your rotator cuff surgery recovery.
Advanced exercises will be performed around 6-8 weeks after your surgery. These exercises will encourage you to use a full range of motion and should be repeated about 10-15 times daily. Your therapist will set these exercises up and instruct you thoroughly on the correct way to perform exercises such as internal rotation and cross body adductions.
Third, strengthening exercises aim to restore strength to your otherwise weakened muscles. This way, you can indeed go back to your daily activities even in sports.
During the strength training phase you will be required to life weights however you should remember not to stress the should muscles. In fact, your physical therapist should plan out a personal training program that includes internal and external rotations in addition to pressing exercises.
At any phase of exercise, you should consult with your doctor if any of the following occurs, redness, oozing fluid, fever, unaccustomed warmth or pain. Any of these can be a sign that your rotator cuff surgery recovery is not moving along as quickly as it should.
About the Author:
Tom Nicholson has spent years helping sufferers of carpal tunnel syndrome. Please follow this link to find out more aboutrotator cuff surgery recovery.
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