How long out of work for rotator cuff surgery

It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take. Call anytime you think you may need emergency care.

For example, call if:. Call your doctor or nurse call line now or seek immediate medical care if:. Watch closely for any changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse call line if:. Author: Healthwise Staff. Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional.

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It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Important Phone Numbers. Topic Contents Your Recovery How can you care for yourself at home? When should you call for help?

Where can you learn more? Top of the page. Your Recovery Rotator cuff repair surgery is done to fix a tear in the rotator cuff. How can you care for yourself at home? Rest when you feel tired. Getting enough sleep will help you recover. Do not lie flat or sleep on your side.

Raise your upper body on two or three pillows, or sleep in a reclining chair. Try to walk each day. Start by walking a little more than you did the day before.

Bit by bit, increase the amount you walk. Walking boosts blood flow and helps prevent pneumonia and constipation. Your arm will be in a sling or other device to prevent it from moving for several weeks. Always use the sling when you walk or stand. Your doctor may still recommend exercises and will provide guidelines on any weight restrictions or other modifications. Only a doctor can make that diagnosis, but the most common symptom is pain that tends to be over the front and outer part of the shoulder.

It is worse when your shoulder is moved in certain positions. Other symptoms include:. Goradia for an evaluation. As a well-know shoulder expert he developed a new surgical technique for massive rotator cuff tears that have poor tissue quality or are severely retracted and scarred.

Patients often consult Dr. Previous Next. Using a special instrument, the bursa is removed using these same keyhole incisions. The bone above the bursa is also resected to clear the space where the shoulder tendon moves during shoulder movement. This bone can form a spur which digs into and can cause rotator cuff tears itself. The entire shoulder and all its structures will be examined at the time of surgery via the arthroscope to ensure nothing else is affected.

The keyhole surgical cuts are closed with dissolving stitches and covered with small waterproof dressings. This means that you can shower, wash, and bathe as normal immediately after the surgery.

The dressings are left intact for two weeks so the small wounds can heal. At the two-week review with your surgeon, the dressings are removed and there is no need for removal of stitches. You can take off the sling when resting, showering and doing exercises involved in your rehabilitation. One of our physiotherapists will see you before your discharge to teach you the exercises you need to perform immediately to start the rehabilitation of your shoulder. After rotator cuff repair is performed you will leave the hospital on the same day.

Your shoulder should be numb and pain free and you will be in a sling. You should start taking tablets for pain relief later that day, before the shoulder block wears off. So, when some feeling returns in the shoulder, the pain should be manageable and you should remain comfortable.

Rotator cuff tears can cause difficulties with sleeping because of pain. The pain is often worsened as a result of the inflamed bursa and will settle down after its removal during the operation. Depending on your job responsibilities, your surgeon will discuss with you on a timeline to return to work. You are more likely to return to work faster at a desk job than a job that requires physical labor that involves lifting. Your arm will remain in a sling for 4 weeks but you can take it off to do exercises, shower, and when resting at home.

You cannot drive a car for the first 4 weeks at a minimum. After the first 4 weeks, you need to be comfortable enough, have adequate movement, and some strength before you can return to driving, which usually takes about 6 weeks. This will start at 1 to 4 weeks and lasts 4 to 6 months. You cannot drive a car for 6 weeks, and it may take 4 weeks to return to work if you have a desk job.

Follow the steps below to get better as quickly as possible. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take. Call anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:.

Call your doctor or nurse call line now or seek immediate medical care if:. Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse call line if:.

Author: Healthwise Staff. Keller MD - Orthopedics. Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.

Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Important Phone Numbers. Topic Contents Your Recovery How can you care for yourself at home? When should you call for help? Where can you learn more? Top of the page. Your Recovery Arthroscopy is a way to find problems and do surgery inside a joint without making a large cut incision.

How can you care for yourself at home? Rest when you feel tired. Getting enough sleep will help you recover. You may be more comfortable if you sleep in a reclining chair. To make your arm and shoulder feel better, keep a thin pillow under the back of your arm while you are lying down. Try to walk each day. Start by walking a little more than you did the day before.

Bit by bit, increase the amount you walk.