Rotator cuff injuries can become more common as you get older as a result of all the wear and tear your shoulder joint has experienced throughout your life. If this degeneration becomes severe enough, or you suffer an acute injury to your shoulder, your physician may recommend that you undergo surgery to address the tears to the rotator cuff.
A number of patients have told us that they are hesitant to undergo rotator cuff surgery because they’ve heard horror stories about the recovery, but that’s simply not the case. Every surgery carries some discomfort, but it will pay off in the end in the form of improved function and decreased pain. It also takes a little bit of time to fully recover from rotator cuff surgery, but again the vast majority of patients say the operation was well worth the payoff in the end. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at what rehabilitation from rotator cuff surgery encompasses.
Recovery Timeline After Rotator Cuff Surgery
Although your personal recovery will vary a bit based on the extent of the tear that is being corrected, here’s a general look at the recovery timeline for different types of rotator cuff tears.
For starters, it takes between 6-8 for the tendon to heal to the bone. During the operation, the surgeon will reattach the tendon to your humerus using absorbable sutures to hold the tendon in place. Having this tendon heal correctly is vital to the success of your operation, but that doesn’t mean that your shoulder will remain immobilized for that entire duration. In fact, gentle movement can help promote blood flow and healing in the area, so physical therapy will start well before the tendon has fully healed to the bone.
In most instances, your arm will be put in a sling to limit movement and stress on the area before you are discharged from the surgical center. Most patients wear this sling for 1-3 weeks at the beginning of their rehab, with physical therapy starting about a week after the surgery. You’ll visit your physical therapist on a regular schedule, and they’ll also give you some home-based exercises to complete during the course of your recovery. While you may not need to meet with your PT as frequently near the end of your rehabilitation, you can still expect to partake in physical therapy for the majority of your recovery. In most instances, physical therapy lasts for about three to six months. Gradual movement exercises will occur while the arm is protected by the sling, and then targeted strength training exercises will begin around the 6- to 10-week mark.
The length of your rehabilitation will also be affected by the severity of your tear, as that can impact tendon healing. For small tears, you may be able to make a full recovery in as little as four months. Larger tears tend to take around six months to heal, and severe tears may take anywhere from 6-12 months to fully heal. Patients can return to a lot of normal activities around the 3-month mark, but again this can shift based on the severity of the tear. Return to vigorous activities or sports may take even longer, with a general return to sports timeline around 4-6 months for smaller tears.
Dr. Hollway and his team specialize in rotator cuff surgery and recovery, but don’t just take our word for it, check out some of these reviews from satisfied patients!
- “I had heard terrible stories about rotator cuff surgery, the severe pain, and the long rehab process but I must say that I couldn’t be happier with my recovery and the impeccable care given to me by Dr. Holloway! He and his team (PA Cassy Piper and BSN, RN, Mary Cate) were first class from the initial evaluation until my release 3 months later.” ~ G.C.
- “After healing for 13 weeks, I have realized that my shoulder and arm are back in a “normal” range of motion, and that is in the miraculous realm! Dr. Holloway did an amazing surgery to reattach torn ligaments and other damaged areas of my shoulder. He is a gifted surgeon and I am grateful for his skillful work. I would highly recommend him as a surgeon for rotator cuff surgery.” ~ V.F.
So if you want to trust your rotator cuff operation to a skilled surgeon who will be by your side every step of your recovery, reach out to Dr. Holloway and his team today at (865) 410-7887.
