Rotator cuff surgery has more than a 95% success rate for small tears. For two tendon tears, the success rate is still greater than 70%.
Lack of improvement: Arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery has a high success rate, but it is not 100 percent. Lack of improvement is not a true complication, but the result can be disappointing for patients. It is possible patients will find they do not regain full motion, strength and function in the shoulder.
Unfortunately if a work injury is severe enough to require surgical treatment, then it is highly unlikely that we will ever reach that gold standard 100% recovery. One of the problems we face in orthopaedics is that some human tissues have limited or no regenerative capacity.
It takes 1 year to fully regain external rotation after small and medium tears, whereas mild residual stiffness remains after large tears. Full forward elevation is restored by 3 months for small tears vs 6 months for medium and large tears.
You should not resume weight lifting until cleared by your doctor to do so. For rotator cuff repair patients this is often 4-6 months after surgery.
Generally, patients are allowed only passive range of motion (PROM) of the shoulder for the first 2 to 6 weeks after surgery.
That, of course, means no heavy lifting. One way doctors help those with surgical wounds heal quickly — and avoid added physical stress that could raise blood pressure and, in turn, cause a cut to break open and bleed — is to recommend steering clear of picking up anything that weighs more than 10 pounds.
Your lifting restrictions will be 25 pounds to the waist, 10 pounds to the shoulder and 5 pounds overhead. At your 6 month visit we will release you from all restrictions. You will be encouraged to continue with your rotator cuff strengthening exercises indefinitely.
In time, your shoulder will likely be stronger, less painful, and more flexible than it was before the surgery. This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace.
UPRIGHT ACTIVE ASSISTED RANGE OF MOTION Twelve weeks after surgery using a stick or cane, the normal arm will move the affected arm in external rotation, abduction and forward elevation while upright. Sitting in a chair while using pulleys is allowed at this time as well. These exercises should be done daily.
Tissue injury, whether accidental or intentional (e.g. surgery), is followed by localized swelling. After surgery, swelling increases progressively, reaching its peak by the third day. It is generally worse when you first arise in the morning and decreases throughout the day.
There is no set time limit on how long post-surgical fatigue lasts. This is because different procedures have varying effects on your body. The more intensive the surgical procedure is, the longer your recovery time will be, including the exhaustion you're feeling.
Strength increased gradually during the first postoperative year. The preoperative mean peak torque was 54%, 45%, and 64% of the uninvolved shoulder in flexion, abduction, and external rotation, respectively; after operation it increased to 78%, 80%, and 79% by 6 months and 84%, 90%, and 91% by 12 months.
The majority of patients report improved shoulder strength and less pain after surgery for a torn rotator cuff. Each surgical repair technique (open, mini-open, and arthroscopic) has similar results in terms of pain relief, improvement in strength and function, and patient satisfaction.
Multiple studies have shown that the failure rate after rotator cuff repair ranges from 20 to 94 per cent.
However, it is important to realize that it may not make your shoulder feel 100% normal again. Research studies have shown that one year after surgery patients will have shoulder function which is about 80% of normal (see the attached graph from a publication in JBJS).
Might lead to complications — Despite the possibility of your rotator cuff tear being fixed from surgery, one of the cons is that there also exists a possibility of experiencing complications. You might develop an infection, nerve damage, or pain in another part of your body like your neck.
If pain persists following surgery, it is typically the result a damaged nerve. The other possibility is advanced shoulder disease which does not respond to conservative options and surgery is not recommended. In this case modulation of the primary nerves responsible for shoulder sensation can be an answer.
The full recovery time after shoulder surgery can range, but you can generally expect that you will be in a recovery period for about three to six months depending on the surgery performed. The recovery period can be broken down into distinct periods of time and each can last for an anticipated duration.
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.
Since open tendon repair is more involved, you may also have more pain right afterwards. No matter which surgery you have, a full recovery will take time. You should expect to be in a sling for about 6 weeks. This protects your shoulder and gives your rotator cuff time to heal.
Weight gain is a common side effect of surgery which could result from certain medications, lack of movement or exercise, and fluid retention, among other reasons. Weight gain also depends on the type of surgery you had, medical history, stress, change of feeding pattern, and prolonged recovery time.
An increase in body weight is a common finding after major abdominal surgery. The gain might last for several days and has been attributed to liberal fluid administration.
Staying in bed too long
They stay in bed all day instead of gradually working up to more movement and taking on more of their usual responsibilities. This can be just as dangerous because it increases the risk of blood clots, muscle wasting, pulmonary embolisms, pressure ulcers, and constipation.