You’re not alone. This is a fairly common procedure, and once you announce that you’re having it done, you’ll find neighbors, family members, and perfect strangers who have had it done and are happy to share their experiences with you. Following is some general information about what to expect from physical therapy after a
rotator cuff repair. Please remember that all rotator cuff repairs are different. The rotator cuff is made up of 4 muscles (the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis). Your rehab will differ based on which muscle is being repaired. Sometimes people tear more than one. Sometimes people have a biceps tendon tear or labral tear at the same time. There are little
tears (partial thickness tears) and big tears (full thickness tears). And many surgeons have different timelines for the rehabilitation of their patients based on their own preferences and surgical techniques. That is something that you should discuss with your physician before surgery to help guide your expectations. This is a general guideline to help you in prepare for your surgery, and to give you an idea of what to expect from physical therapy. 0-6 weeks
4 to 12 weeks
12 weeks and beyond
Physical Therapy
Your physical therapist is an excellent resource for you to get information about what you can do and when you can do it. We send regular updates to your surgeon, and can always get extra information from him or her if necessary. We will make every attempt to make your rehabilitation as pain-free as we can, and get you back to your regular activities as quickly and safely as possible. Please remember that all of the information in this article is a generalization, and your physical therapist will tailor your rehabilitation to your specific injury, surgery, limitations, and goals. With some hard work and time, you’ll be back to playing golf (or tennis, or swimming, or playing the piano, gardening, or whatever your favorite activity is) before you know it! What happens at 12 weeks after rotator cuff surgery?By 12-14 weeks, most patients have regained the majority of their passive motion and begin gentle strengthening that progresses over the next three months.
How long before you can lift your arm after rotator cuff surgery?You should not do any reaching, lifting, pushing, or pulling with your shoulder during the first six weeks after surgery. You should not reach behind your back with the operative arm. You may remove your arm from the sling to bend and straighten your elbow and to move your fingers several times a day.
How often should I do physical therapy for rotator cuff?Physical therapy after rotator cuff repair may last 3-6 months after surgery. It often begins at two times per week and then decreases to 2-4 times per month toward the end of the treatment time.
Why is PT so painful after rotator cuff surgery?It might be alarming to feel some pain even after rotator cuff repair surgery. Rest assured, this is a common occurrence. Usually, the soreness is due to your shoulder recovering from the surgery itself or stiffness from the lack of movement.
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