If you have suffered a severe shoulder injury, such as a tear to your rotator cuff, you may be facing orthopedic shoulder surgery. The procedure is a minimally invasive one that uses an arthroscope. However, the recovery period is typically extensive, lasting for as many as six months. This is because it takes a good deal of time for the tendon to heal and to re-attach to the bone.
What to Expect During Your Recovery
Post-Op: Right after your operation, your surgeon will tell you to keep your shoulder as still as possible. You may feel pain, but that will vary and depend on the extent of the repair to your shoulder. You will also need to apply cold packs to your shoulder, as this will help reduce the swelling and the pain.
Six weeks: The first phase of your recovery will last for about 6 weeks after your surgery. During this phase, you will need to keep your arm immobile and in a sling. The sling will help keep weight off of the arm as it heals.
Physical therapy: After six weeks, when your shoulder has had time to heal, your surgeon will prescribe physical therapy. Your physical therapist will take you through exercises that involve passive movements of the joint. This passive movement does not involve a contraction of the muscles. It is very important to keep the bicep muscle from contracting during this period, as it would put unnecessary strain on the shoulder.
Your physical therapist will move the arm for you and teach you how to move in order to avoid contracting the muscles around the joint. This gentle movement will help prevent the formation of scar tissue that would form if there were no movement at all in the joint. Scar tissue limits movement in your shoulder, which would be detrimental to your healing process. Additionally, your therapist will also teach you how to perform these exercises at home, on your own.
After six weeks: After six weeks, you will be allowed to perform certain arm movements, those with a limited range of motion. Your doctor will not allow you to lift or push heavy objects during this time, though, as these movements will place too much strain on the joint. This could cause the sutures that are anchoring the tendon to the bone to pull out. Additionally, you will not be allowed to support your body weight on that arm during this time.
After three months: Three months after your surgery, you will need to begin strengthening your arm. You should not overdo it, as the tendon is still healing. You will be able to do more light exercises as directed by your therapist.
Every person is different, and everyone’s post-recovery period will vary. It may take more time for you to heal or less. Make sure to follow your orthopedics New Windsor NY surgeon’s instructions in order to minimize the risk or reinjuring your shoulder.
