You'll need help with everyday tasks, such as doing laundry, and walking your dog. And until your doctor clears you to drive, you'll also need someone to drive you to and from physical therapy, as well as any other places you may want or need to go.
Depending on your job, you may be able to go back to work as early as 2 to 3 weeks after surgery, as long as you avoid certain arm movements, such as lifting. It takes at least 6 months to return to full activity.
You should try to drink plenty of water after surgery. Your responsible adult caregiver should stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery to help you with medications, movement, encourage fluids, activities of daily living, and to help observe you for any possible complications.
You should keep ice on the shoulder for the first 48-72 hours after surgery. Ice your shoulder two to three times per day for the first week, especially before sleep. We do recommend that you put a t-shirt or a thin towel between you and the sleeve so that it doesn't injure your skin.
If you live alone, make sure you've got someone—a friend or relative—lined up to check on you once you return home from the operation. It's also a good idea to have their contact information just in case you need something.
You will most likely need to sleep in a semi-reclined position for at least six weeks after surgery, sometimes longer. If you don't own a recliner, it may be worthwhile to buy one or borrow one from a friend before you have your shoulder surgery.
It takes six to eight weeks for the tendon to heal to the bone. Complete recovery time varies by size of the tear. For a small tears, full recovery time is about four months, for large tears, six months. For severe, massive tears, a complete recovery can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months.
Let your doctor know if you have no one to help after surgery and they should be able to help you come up with ways to assist you. Make a list of questions and concerns. Jot down your answers so you don't forget.
If you don't stay overnight, you will need someone to take you home because you won't be able to drive or take public transportation by yourself. It's best to have someone with you for at least the first 24 hours after general anesthesia.
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.
A rotator cuff surgery is a major surgical intervention in the shoulder, and the reason that there is pain after surgery is the amount of normal surgical trauma. Cutting, drilling, cauterizing, and suturing tissues create pain and inflammation.
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.
You may shower after the dressing is removed. Do not put your shoulder under water for four weeks after surgery, such as in a bath, hot tub, or pool. You may shower and let the water run over your incision, then pat it dry. Do not put ointment, alcohol, or lotion over your incisions, it is best to keep them dry.
You will need to wear a sling when you leave the hospital. You may also need to wear a shoulder immobilizer. This keeps your shoulder from moving. How long you need to wear the sling or immobilizer depends on the type of surgery you had.
If you are showering, allow your injured arm to hang by your side whilst you use your good arm to wash. Top tips for dressing: Always dress your injured arm first and take it out of cloths last.
Here are few things you can do to prepare your home: Prepare meals ahead for 1-2 weeks and freeze them in containers. Buy easy-to-make or ready-to-eat foods like salads, cereals, fruits, and nuts. Practice doing daily self-care tasks like brushing your teeth or fixing your breakfast with one arm before surgery.
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.
Typically, you will stay in the hospital for two to three days, but this depends on each individual and how quickly he or she progresses. After surgery, you may feel some pain that will be managed with medication to make you feel as comfortable as possible.
You should wear your sling when you sleep. Driving: Operating a motor vehicle may be difficult due to you inability to use your operative arm. If you should have an accident or get pulled over while wearing a sling, the authorities may consider that driving while impaired.
You will likely receive general anesthesia for this surgery. This means you will be asleep and unable to feel pain. Or, you may have regional anesthesia. Your arm and shoulder area will be numbed and as a result, you do not feel any pain.
Swelling and Bruising.
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.