How long after injury should you start physical therapy

That shoulder pain hurts. And that’s why you moved forward in getting surgery to have it repaired, despite all the non-surgical treatment methods you tried. They may have helped, but not nearly enough, right? But now what? You know you need to start physical therapy, and you’re not alone in wondering about when to start physical therapy after a rotator cuff injury.

Table of Contents Show

The Timing Must Be Right
Physical Therapy for Rotator Cuff Injuries
When to Begin Post Surgery Rotator Cuff Physical Therapy
Rotator Cuff Physical Therapy in Miami
The Benefits of Physical Therapy
Do You Need Physical Therapy? Contact Us at Orthopedic Specialists of Southwest Florida Today.
Can you start physical therapy too soon?
When is it too late for physical therapy?
What happens if you don't do physical therapy after an injury?

The Timing Must Be Right

As described by Healthline, “The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that help stabilize the shoulder. They also aid in movement. Every time you move your shoulder, you are using your rotator cuff to stabilize and help move the joint.”

Just like any other surgery, healing the rotator cuff properly is a must. However, the timing of each step you take through the healing process must be right; otherwise you risk further injury. And when it comes to your rotator cuff, you have to make sure to take it easy, regardless of how ready you are to jump back into your normal routine.

Your healing journey probably won’t be exactly like anyone else’s because just like your specific rotator cuff injury (and the way it happened) is unique to you, so is the healing process.

Physical Therapy for Rotator Cuff Injuries

There are so many different ways a rotator cuff can be injured. It could be tendonitis or bursitis, or it could have happened in a sporting accident or perhaps a car accident. In many cases, surgery can be avoided by undergoing physical therapy, but whether you opt for surgery or no surgery, the following will give you some insight as to what will happen in physical therapy.

Here at PT Now, the therapist will help you:

Regain your strength
Learn how to move items and carry objects with less pain (and even pain free)
Learn physical therapy exercises at PT and at home that target the shoulder muscles
Reduce pain with proper posture
Regain your range of motion
Offer techniques for improving sleep
Utilize ice or heat to help manage pain
And much more!

When to Begin Post Surgery Rotator Cuff Physical Therapy

It is important to note: the following timeline is general. Your personal healing journey and physical therapy timeline are unique to your injury, surgery, health and healing process, so use this only as a guide as to what you might expect:

Immediately after surgery-6 weeks – The healing and building of strength will be the primary focus. Your arm will likely be in a sling, and your physical therapist will do the majority of your arm movement for you, so as to not aggravate the tendons.
6-12 Weeks – The focus will continue on the muscles and will now begin to focus on the healing of the tendons, with more movement now shifting from heavy physical therapist assistance to you doing a good bit of the work.
12-16 Weeks – Proper strengthening can now begin, with the focus shifting heavily to making the muscles and tendons stronger as they continue to heal.
16-20 Weeks – Full recovery begins. Again, it depends on your specific circumstances, but this is typically when a true estimate can be made for when the rotator cuff will be at 100% again, as it was prior to the injury.

Rotator Cuff Physical Therapy in Miami

Do you need physical therapy for your rotator cuff? Whether your goal or to avoid surgery or if you need physical therapy following surgery, call us at Physical Therapy Now. We have a location within 5 miles of your residence or work, guaranteed, so getting to any of our facilities is convenient. Call us today to set up your first appointment at (800) 481-4582.

We are here for you!

Sustaining an orthopedic injury can keep you out of commission for an extended period because the bones, joints, and connective tissues are vital for mobility and independence. You may require surgery for a traumatic injury to repair injuries such as a displaced fracture or a torn ACL, which can also keep you on the sidelines until you recover. Surgery itself takes time to heal from, and once you have recovered, you may experience stiffness or weakness from the lack of exercise during the healing process.

The answer to getting back to fighting fit is physical therapy. Through this form of rehabilitation, you can improve your range of motion, mobility, and get relief from injury or disease. It’s important to start physical therapy as soon as it is prescribed rather than waiting, because the longer you go without treatment, the worse your muscle atrophy or nerve change will become. It can also save you money in the long run because these injuries often become more severe without the proper treatment.

The Benefits of Physical Therapy

While it may seem like physical therapy would aggravate your pain, the opposite is true: The only way to recover fully after a traumatic injury is to see a physical therapist, which your orthopedist can prescribe. Although you may be anxious about starting strength-building exercises when you are in physical pain, only a physical therapist can help you get back in shape. Physical therapists both employ active and passive therapies. Active therapies include stretching and resistance training, while passive treatments include heat/cold, massage, and other techniques to break up scar tissue and induce healing. It is vital to have physical therapy after surgical treatment because it can help you heal more quickly and provide pain relief, so you don’t have to rely on prescription painkillers to feel better.

Without seeing a physical therapist as prescribed, you will gradually lose flexibility, range of motion, and strength, especially if you had surgical repair for your traumatic injury. Even if you see a physical therapist after a delay, you may have built-up scar tissue that will prevent a full recovery because the physical therapist must first work to break up the scar tissue so the joint can work as it should. This not only takes time, but it can be painful. However, those who seek physical therapy right away often have less scar tissue and less pain.

Do You Need Physical Therapy? Contact Us at Orthopedic Specialists of Southwest Florida Today.

Suffering from chronic pain or loss of function isn’t something you need to live with. Our orthopedists can make a diagnosis and prescribe physical therapy to restore your quality of life after sustaining an injury or being diagnosed with an orthopedic condition. During a consultation with our board-certified physiatrist, Dr. Allen C. Tafel, MD, you will learn more about how physical therapy can help you heal. You deserve to live a life free of pain and with maximum function you’ve lost due to injury, illness, or a disabling condition.

We are here to help. Contact us at Orthopedic Specialists of Southwest Florida today by dialing (239) 215-2008.

Can you start physical therapy too soon?

If appropriate, physical therapy may begin as soon as a few days after the injury is sustained. For patients who delay physical therapy, their injuries and symptoms often become worse and may be more difficult and/or more expensive to treat.

When is it too late for physical therapy?

The bottom line is that it is never too late to treat your injuries with physical therapy.

What happens if you don't do physical therapy after an injury?

Slower Recovery: Missing a physical therapy session will ultimately increase the time you will have to spend in recovery. The reason for this is because the exercises and activities that you will be engaging in a treatment session are designed to help you regain total movement ability.