If you work at a job that involves heavy manual labour, lifting your arms above your head, or the use of heavy tools, you may have to think about making changes to your job. If you had arthroscopic surgery, you can take a shower 48 to 72 hours after surgery. Remove the sling, and leave your arm by your side.
No active motion of the shoulder, such as reaching outwards or upwards, is allowed. No motion such as that required to wash your hair, do laundry, wash dishes, or clean windows with the arm is allowed in the first 6 weeks.
Sling: you will be provided with a sling on surgery day. You will need to where the sling at all times, except when bathing. Typically the sling is worn for 6 weeks. Dr.
You may remove your dressing 48 hours after your surgery to take a shower. You may let soap and water gently wash over your incisions, but do not scrub them. Pat them dry with a towel, then recover each of the incisions with a band-aid.
First two weeks:
Most surgeons will instruct the patient to remove the sling for pendulum exercises and elbow straightening exercises only. At this point, there should be no active movement of the shoulder, and there should be nothing placed in the hand while the arm is in the sling.
Do not sleep flat on your back. Sleeping on an incline for 4-6 weeks after surgery is best. For the first week or two, a recliner may be the most comfortable option. Purchasing a 45 degree wedge from a medical supply store can also provide a stable base to prop yourself up in the bed.
Wear slings when you are in bed: In addition to wearing a sling during the day, consider wearing it for several weeks at night. If you put your arms in a sling on a bed, your shoulders can remain stable while sleeping.
A loose fitting sleeveless undershirt followed by a loose button down shirt. Please do not wear a traditional bra for two weeks, but one with a T-back or racer back straps are okay.
You will be able to zip your pants, button a shirt, and brush your teeth, but you won't be able to wash your hair with your surgical arm.
It is very important to wear your sling as directed by your doctor after surgery. The sling is typically used for 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. You should not do any reaching, lifting, pushing, or pulling with your shoulder during the first six weeks after surgery.
The best position to sleep in is the one that doesn't put pressure on your affected arm, which means sleeping either on your back or on the unaffected side.
Patients who are recovering from rotator cuff surgery know all too well that surgery on the shoulder is often painful. Some patients have very little pain after shoulder surgery, but most have significant pain for a few days to a few weeks.
Most patients, who have undergone rotator cuff surgery, can return to car driving within two weeks of surgery. Before you plan to drive after the rotator cuff surgery, first, you need to consult your doctor to make sure that your recovery is going on according to the plan.
Background. The administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to patients is thought to impair rotator cuff healing and clinical outcomes.
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.
Patients are often advised to wear a sling or brace for the first 4–6 weeks after rotator cuff repair surgery to prevent them from performing any physical activities involving the affected shoulder (3).
This observation is supported by a study showing that in patients who have had rotator cuff surgery, strength in the shoulder muscles is not fully recovered until nine months after the surgery. As a result, it is normal to expect some continued symptoms of pain or soreness after rotator cuff surgery for several months.
Although your arm will likely be immobilized in a sling for four to six weeks after the surgery, you can return to most of your normal activities within a few days of surgery. You will be able to drive and walk, but remember you will be doing these things with one arm.
A nice trick is to bend forward at the waist, and just let the arm dangle. This will allow gravity to open up the space under your armpit so that you can wash under your armpit without using any of the muscles of your shoulder.