What exercises should I do after rotator cuff surgery?

What exercises should I do after rotator cuff surgery?

Best Post-Surgery Shoulder Exercises

  1. Assisted Shoulder Elevation. This exercise can be performed sitting or lying down.
  2. Rotator Cuff Strength. In a standing position, place your arms a little behind your back and clasp your hands together.
  3. Reaching Exercises.
  4. Internal Rotation.
  5. Shoulder Adduction.

When should I start PT after shoulder surgery?

You should start formal physical therapy with a therapist seven to ten days after your surgery. Typically we recommend that you see a therapist twice a week, but sometimes it is less and sometimes it is more depending upon your particular surgery.

How much movement is normal 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 many weeks of physical therapy do you need for rotator cuff surgery?

The passive motion portion of your rehabilitation program lasts about six weeks. During this phase, avoid any action that puts stress on your surgical arm, including: Reaching, pulling, or raising your arms.

How long before I can drive after rotator cuff surgery?

Post-Surgery In general, you’ll want to avoid driving a car for at least six to 12 weeks, or until your doctor has indicated you no longer need to wear a sling. Driving with one arm is unsafe, and the shoulder that underwent surgery shouldn’t be moved too far away from the body.

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.

Why does it take so long to heal from rotator cuff surgery?

There are many reasons for this lack of healing with surgery. The first is that the rotator cuff tendons are large tendons which may have too extensive damage to heal. The rotator cuff tendons are big, and there are four of them.

What is the fastest way to recover from rotator cuff surgery?

5 Tips to Speed Your Recovery from Rotator Cuff Surgery

  1. Wear your shoulder immobilizer or sling.
  2. Participate in physical therapy.
  3. Eliminate pain medication as quickly as possible.
  4. Avoid certain shoulder positions and arm movements.
  5. Don’t rush your recovery.

How long does it take for your rotator cuff to heal?

Rotator cuff treatment. The minimum time for recovery from rotator cuff tendinitis or a small tear is generally two to four weeks, and stubborn cases can take several months. Early on, the aim is to reduce swelling and inflammation of the tendons and relieve compression in the subacromial space.

What happens at 3 months after rotator cuff surgery?

After spending up to three months without much use, the rotator cuff muscles have weakened and need to be strengthened in order to return to normal activity level. You will learn the proper exercises that focus directly on the specific muscles that need attention.

What happens at 6 months after rotator cuff surgery?

Approximately 4-6 months after rotator cuff repair, you can expect to complete the rehabilitation process. Your exact shoulder surgery recovery timeline will depend on a combination of factors, including the severity of your rotator cuff injury and the speed at which your body naturally heals.

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