Rotator cuff surgery can significantly decrease pain and increase your quality of life, but because of the intricate nature of what’s being corrected in your shoulder, recovery isn’t a quick turnaround. Your rehabilitation will be measured in months, not weeks, which leads many people to ask when they might be able to return to certain activities following rotator cuff surgery. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at when you may be able to return to work after rotator cuff surgery.
Rotator Cuff Recovery Timeline
As you can probably imagine, there is no one-size-fits all timeline for when a person can return to work following rotator cuff surgery. Every job requires different physical tasks, so the return to work timeline will certainly be different for an office worker compared to a construction worker. You’ll want to rely on your surgeon’s recovery guidelines for when you may be able to return to work following rotator cuff surgery, but below we take a general look at activity restrictions and clearance after having your rotator cuff surgically addressed.
Rotator cuff surgery involves the careful reattachment of the rotator cuff tendons to the humerus. Sutures help to keep everything in place, but recovery and healing takes time. You’ll typically be asked to keep your arm in a sling or immobilizer for the first six weeks after your operation. This will make most daily tasks more difficult, and you may need help with activities like dressing and showering. If the procedure was performed on your left arm, you may be able to begin driving again during this six-week period, so long as your vehicle has an automatic transmission, but you’ll also want to ensure that it is safe to do so if you are on any medications.
Slowly but surely, you’ll be able to take on more tasks with your surgically fixed arm. At the six-week mark, your doctor will hope that you’ll be able to get dressed on your own, write or type with your injured arm, and lift something light, like a cup of coffee. If you work a very sedentary job that requires you to perform tasks like typing or answering phone calls, you may be able to return to work within 6-8 weeks after your operation, but again, you’ll want to get clearance from your shoulder surgeon first.
If you work a more strenuous job, or even a less physical job that requires regular lifting, carrying or moving, you may need to progress through your entire rehabilitation before you get the green light to head back to work. And while you may not be able to shave months off your recovery time, by participating in physical therapy and really working to help the shoulder recover, it’s possible that you’d be able to return sooner if you commit to your PT regimen.
Depending on the size of your tear, it can take anywhere from 6-10 months for you to be able to return to work in full capacity, but healing may continue for longer than 12 months. Risk of retearing the tendons is highest within the first 24 weeks after surgery, so you really want to be smart about your activity load in the first six months post-op. You may be able to return to light duty work sooner than six months, but expect at least half a year of restrictions if you’re very active with your arms at work.
Rotator cuff surgery can help you return to the activities you love and rely on, but recovery takes time, so it’s important to be patient throughout the process. We know this is easier said than done, but if you trust your operation to a skilled surgeon like Dr. Holloway and follow your physical therapy guidelines, we’re confident that you’ll make a strong and full recovery.
To learn more about rotator cuff surgery, or to talk to a specialist about your new or chronic shoulder pain, reach out to Dr. Holloway’s office today at (865) 410-7887.
