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.
Light housework may resume after 6 weeks. More strenuous housework should be avoided until 3 months after your operation. After approximately six weeks you will be given permission to resume light activities of daily living. Always maintain a good posture and avoid hunched or drooped shoulders.
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. To wash under your armpit, lean over and let the arm fall away from your body. Do not raise your arm.
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.
You may use your wrist, hand, and elbow for daily activities. This includes eating, shaving, dressing, as long as you do not move your operated arm away from your body and it does not increase your pain. Do not use your arm to push up/off the bed or chair for six weeks after your surgery.
Move your fingers, hand, and wrist around 3 to 4 times during the day while they are in the sling. Each time, do this 10 to 15 times. You can also squeeze your shoulder blades together 3 to 4 times during the day to exercise your back. Each time, do this 10 to 15 times.
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.
Use a flannel or wet wipe (non-perfumed) to gently wash under your operated armpit. You must avoid actively moving your shoulder to gain access. HELPFUL TIP: If you bend forward gently you will notice gravity assists in opening up the space of your armpit to enable you to wash/dry more easily.
Here are some tips for sleeping after shoulder surgery. Sleep on an Incline. Do not sleep flat on your back. Sleeping on an incline for 4-6 weeks after surgery is best.
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.
After surgery, you will be advised to not lift or hold weight, and heavy housework like vacuuming is off-limits. Driving is also prohibited until further notice from your doctor. He or she will likely allow you to gradually add housework and driving back into your daily activities after approximately six weeks.
Step 1⃣: Use a waterproof chair to sit on in the shower. Step 2⃣: Using your good arm to pull your painful arm forward, resting your forearms on your knee. Step 3⃣: Lean forward, bending your elbow to wash your hair. Step 4⃣: Place your arms back down on your knees and sit back up.
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.
Wearing Your Sling
Slings relieve tension and elevate your arm to the optimal healing position. Many patients wonder if they can take their sling off to sleep. Nearly every doctor will tell you this is not advisable. Wearing a sling is what keeps you from overworking your shoulder or moving it too much while it heals.
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.
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.
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. You might also be advised to sleep in a reclined position, as it puts less pressure on the injured rotator cuff and promotes healing.
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.
Most people who have rotator cuff surgery can expect to feel some level of pain for at least six months after their procedure. In this article, you'll learn about factors that can affect how long you will be in pain after rotator cuff surgery.